unicornnews: Blogger focusing on lobbyists

The only slightly tedious political blogger Guido Fawkes has vowed to throw a light on the world of lobbying in the coming year, with plans to focus on those in the PR world with close links to David Cameron and other senior Tories who may, or may not, be in power come this time next year.

Fawkes, probably best known for publishing that infamous email written by former Gordon Brown advisor Damian McBride, which led to the ‘smeargate scandal’ and the end of the spin doctor’s career, has vowed to let his readers know about “the fat cats of spin and their hidden hand in politics”.

In somewhat less dramatic speak, Fawkes, real name Paul Staines, explained his motivation to PR Week, saying: “What I would like to see is much more above-the-counter lobbying. There is a legitimate role for lobbying, but I don’t want it to be over coffee and cigars after a meal. I want it to be up-front and out in the open – like a political campaign”.

Never frightened to name names, Staines says he is keeping a particularly close eye on Brunswick’s Alan Parker, Finsbury’s Roland Rudd and high profile PR man Matthew Freud, claiming: “These guys are right in with David Cameron. People are coming to me with information and I’m building up a picture of who, what, where”.

Most in the lobbying sector seem to be playing down Staines’ promises of sordid revelations, adding that the blogger will probably be disappointed to discover most political consultants are much more above board than he and other cynics assume.

Nevertheless, if Staines can unearth any shady dealings on the sidelines, and if the tabloids pick them up, that could provide further ammunition for those already pushing for more transparency in the lobbying sector, whether that be through voluntary codes and registers or new legislation.

With the Tories themselves already giving their backing to more transparency in any PR-enabled conversations between government and big business, it seems some sort of new lobbying code is now inevitable, even if some in the industry are cynical as to how big an impact such a code could really have.

Posted Thursday September 17 2009 by Chris Cooke

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