Senedd members agree motion to create a register for lobbyists

Calls for a new statutory lobbyists register have been backed in the Senedd.

A motion, put forward by Reform UK’s Llŷr Powell, was supported across the party groups in the Senedd on Wednesday June 17.

Opening the debate, Reform’s Francesca O’Brien described it as a “straightforward principle” and said: “The people of Wales have a right to know who is trying to influence the laws and decisions made in their name, and that right is currently not being met.

“Every healthy democracy needs transparency, and for too long this institution has operated under a veil of secrecy on one of the most consequential relationships in politics: the relationship between decision makers and those who seek to influence them.”

Ms O’Brien clarified that lobbying itself is not the problem, noting that charities often lobby for vulnerable people and small businesses lobby for fairer regulations.

She said: “None of that in itself is sinister, and nothing in this motion seeks to discourage it, restrict it or obstruct ordinary people who simply want to make their voices heard to those that represent them.

“What this motion is about is the difference between lobbying that happens in the open and the influence that happens in the shadows, and ensuring that the public can always tell the difference.”

Ms O’Brien acknowledged that Wales is arguably the odd one out in the UK with Scotland and Northern Ireland both having statutory registers, and Westminster having one covering consultant lobbyists.

She said when Transparency International assessed ministerial transparency across the four UK nations, Wales came in third – a record she said is not “to be defended”.

The Gŵyr Abertawe MS said the Senedd now has the opportunity to end the “idea of a closed revolving door for the Cardiff Bay bubble” and get rid of the perception that “politicians have their snouts in the trough”.

“Highest standards”

Labour’s democracy spokesperson, Huw Thomas, moved his party’s proposed amendment to the motion, which he said “strengthens the aim of the original motion”.

He continued: “I’d like to put on record our thanks to the Standards of Conduct Committee of the sixth Senedd for their work in developing a clearer standards framework, which is more robust and transparent, including reviewing and adding to the code of conduct that we all follow in this place.

“I also praise the work of the standards committee on dignity and respect, with the recall process being particularly important to the health of our Welsh democracy.

“We must always strive for the highest standards of conduct as Members of this Senedd.”

The amendment to the motion also calls on all interested parties to engage positively with the work and recognises the “importance of transparency” in public life in Wales.

Mr Thomas said: “This additional transparency should be welcomed by Members of this Senedd and by everyone, as the point was just made.

“It’s right that this information should be publicly available for people to scrutinise and understand.

“In an expanded parliament, we have a duty to the people of Wales to be as open and as transparent as we can be.”

Labour’s chief whip, Vikki Howells, also weighed in on the debate, drawing on her experience as standards committee chair during the last Senedd term.

Ms Howells noted in the previous committee, concerns had been raised about small charities – who frequently reach out to MSs – being deterred from doing so due to bureaucracy and the costs that go with it.

She said: “Safeguards will definitely need to be taken forward on any register of lobbyists to ensure that there are no unintended consequences whereby, for example, a small charity might feel it has to pay for a lobbyist to take up advocacy on their behalf. I’m sure that’s something we could all agree we wouldn’t want to see.”

The Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr MS also shared her surprise at Reform having brought forward this debate, noting that the “leader of Reform UK Ltd, its former majority shareholder [Nigel Farage], is well known for racking up a staggering sum in donations.”

She continued: “I do welcome Reform UK Ltd’s new scrutiny of the influence of money on politics and, in that purpose, I hope that all parties can work together to make sure we get this right.”

“Greater transparency”

The deputy leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Paul Davies, expressed his party’s support for the motion, saying they would “support any moves to provide greater transparency in our democracy”.

Mr Davies was a member of the Senedd’s standards committee when it considered how a lobbying register should be introduced in the fifth Senedd.

He said: “I very much hope that this Senedd will further look at lobbying in Wales, build an evidence base to develop a register, and provide an update on the lessons that have been learned from other parts of the United Kingdom, because if we are serious about transparency we must be serious about getting this right.

“There is little value in a system that creates bureaucracy without delivering genuine insight, accountability and absolute democratic transparency.”

Mr Davies reiterated that while he supports calls for a lobbying register, it’s essential it’s “developed properly” – a feat he notes will require “cross-party collaboration, detailed work, evidence building, and careful attention.”

“Consensus”

Minister for government effectiveness, Dafydd Trystan Davies, noted the presence of “some consensus” across the Siambr.

Revealing Plaid Cymru would be supporting Reform’s motion, he said: “Being open and transparent is one of those values that our First Minister has set out for us as a government.

“Therefore, it follows that if we want to be open and transparent as a government, we would support the fact that this parliament should be open and transparent too.”

Taking an intervention, Dr Trystan Davies was questioned by Andrew RT Davies, from the Welsh Conservatives, who asked if ministers would fall under the proposed lobbying register.

Dr Trystan Davies responded: “In line with our commitment to openness and transparency, we will align our practices as a government with those of the Senedd, as we should do.”

Reform’s Llŷr Powell, who tabled the debate, spoke of the “unusual position” of consensus across the Siambr.

He said: “I want to echo what members have said here today. Bringing in a lobbyist register isn’t about demonising those who work in trying to influence us as members or us in the Senedd. This isn’t about demonising lobbyists or presuming guilt. We accept that lobbying is a crucial part of a healthy democracy, but it must be regulated now.”

The motion was agreed without amendment with 77 in favour, no abstentions, and eight against.