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Democratic values demand that the institutes of parliament and government are open to approach from their constituents. Lobbyists perform the important service of easing this access. They therefore constitute valuable sources of information to policy-makers, and can assist interest groups accurately putting their viewpoints across.
However, lobbyists act as representatives of powerful interest groups and can make decisive contributions to policy debates. Acting as important “bridges”, they retain close links to interest groups and decision-makers. It is vital, therefore, that their contributions do not offer inappropriate access or influence to decision-makers.
While lobbying is an important aspect of a healthy policy process, it must be accountable and transparent for just and robust decision-making and legislation. All lobbyists must ensure that their stakeholders are transparently declared, and their lobbying techniques appropriate and accountable.
Based on its research on accountability principles for think-tanks and other policy research organisations the One World Trust research briefing "Accountable Lobbying of Parliament" explores ways to further strengthen and add to the tools for making lobbying in Parliament more accountable proposed in the recent report of the Public Administration Select Committee “Lobbying: Access and Influence in Whitehall”.
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