lobbying

Question 1

Greensill Capital Scandal - Lobbying

Answer 1

-in 2018, Cameron became an advisor to Greensill Capital, who made about £3.3m from shares and >£700,000 a year as a part-time advisor
-FOI request found sent multiple texts to Sunak, aides etc., to try and get government backed loans under the Covid corporate financing facility
-Cabinet Office review said his actions were not unlawful, but it has tarnished his career

Question 2

Owen Paterson Scandal - Lobbying

Answer 2

-Con MP being paid >£8,000 a month by Randox and >£1,000 a month by Lynn’s Country Foods
-Commissioner for Parliamentary Standards found he breached lobbying rules = resignation and by-election
-instead of approving the suspension, the Con party enforced a 3-line-whip on a motion that the investigation was ‘clearly flawed’ = other parties’ massive opposition and gov U-turn
-by-election saw massive swing to the Lib Dems of 34%

Question 3

lobbying definition

Answer 3

attempts of individuals/companies to influence decisions made by government

Question 4

Scott Benton lobbyign scanda;

Answer 4

• 2023 - The Times set up a fake lobbying sting
  -Benton was filmed agreeing to table questions and leak official documents
  -suspended as a Conservative minister

Question 5

lobbying regulations

Answer 5

-2014 Lobbying Act does little to limit disproportionate influence of lobbying
-annual spend on lobbying in the UK is around £2b
-80% of lobbyists are from FTSE 100 companies
-Hansard Society has estimated the average MP is contacted around 100 times a week by lobbyists

Question 6

Labour / starmer donations row lobbying

Answer 6

• sept 2024 - Starmer had to pay back over £6000 in gifts and hospitality such as 6 taylor swift tickets and tockets to races - criticism for accepting freebies from wealthy donors
• not linked directly to lobbying but since Starmer was super critical of tory govt corruption - was important as he propmsied integrity