Curb Their Lobbying Enthusiasm

How does political lobbying work? In theory, anyone can speak to their elected representative to present their views in the hope that they will be taken into account. In practice, access to elected representatives (especially those holding key government positions) is very limited, and politicians pay far more attention to the small number of people who possess a vast amount of influence.  Of these influential people, the most powerful are those with substantial wealth that enables them to offer campaign donations, prospects of future directorships, generous perks, valuable connections with others in their circles, and countless other benefits that money can always buy.

These plutocrats consider lobbying as their prerogative to press their preferences on people in public office.  They know that there are quite a few who will be receptive to their approach because they have gone into politics to advance their own material interests.  Even when they come across politicians whose priority is to serve the public, they may still be able to intimidate them by threatening to give more money to their opponents in electoral contests unless they trim their policies.

Lobbying enables plutocrats to subvert democracy by getting politicians to do their bidding at the expense of what the wider population require. Legislation to reduce preventable deaths have been blocked or delayed by tobacco companies, fossil fuel producers, and makers of sugary food and drinks. Measures to cut air pollution and environmental damages are constantly halted or substantially watered down by those who profit from acts that ruin the health of others. Regulation to stop irresponsible gambling on the financial markets that has repeatedly caused economic crises and wrecked innumerable lives, is pushed back by corporate interests that thrive on chaos for ordinary people.

What can be done about it?

We propose two restrictions:

[1] Any member of the legislature in receipt of something of tangible value (financial or in kind; on-going or one-off; directly or via their spouse/civil partner) from any individual or organisation must register it, and not be allowed to vote on any proposed legislation that can significantly affect the individual or organisation which has provided the benefit in question. Any member who voted and subsequently found to have not disclosed their prior pecuniary connection with relevant individual(s) or organisation(s) shall be prosecuted for committing the crime of subverting democratic proceedings (with expulsion from the legislature as a penalty for serious cases).

[2] Once a bill has been introduced, any contact with any member of the legislature to discuss elements of the bill must be made through a formal process that is open and supervised. Arguments for and against parts or all of the bill will be presented at one of the sessions organised by an independent administrative body. Written submissions can be sent directly to politicians, but face-to-face (or via video link) presentations will only be allowed in one of the official, public sessions. Any personal contact to set up or take part in a private meeting will constitute a criminal offence in subverting democratic proceedings. Any member of the legislature agreeing to or participating in such private meetings will also be prosecuted (with expulsion from the legislature as a penalty for serious cases).

In case anyone tries to bring out the old ‘this is restricting our freedom’ slogan, let us not forget that there has never been freedom granted to bribe politicians. Using one’s wealth to bend legislators to one’s will is not acceptable.  It’s time we close the gaping loopholes.