Mark Hollingsworth's MPs For Hire (1992) provides an in depth look at the history of sleaze and politics in the UK. As well as highlighting individual cases and misdemeanours the book describes how UK laws have been tightened around MPs declaring their interests in the House of Commons, in particular with regards to Select Committees and All Party Parliamentary Groups. It details the growth of lobbying in the UK and in particular it questions the legalities of MPs being retained financially by lobbyists.
Following publication of the book in 1994, the Nolan Committee was established by John Major, the then Prime Minister, who asked for an investigation and report into MPs' affairs. This is now known as the Committee on Standards in Public Life and the outcome of the Committee's report created greater transparency in UK politics and lobbying.
No comments:
Post a Comment