News - PressStatements

Release: 22nd October 2007

The Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC), CIPR Government Affairs Group (GAG) and Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) have today jointly unveiled a new set of guiding principles (see below for full text) for all those who interact with the UK’s political institutions. Reflecting the diversity of organisations and inviduals who now engage with government – from charities, trade bodies, public sector bodies, NGOs and pressure groups to law firms, management consultancies, investment banks and corporations – the new initiative forms the bedrock to promote the principles of openness, honesty, integrity and propriety.

The three industry bodies are now embarking on a process of consultation with a wide range of organisations who represent or regulate those involved in interacting with government, Parliament and the broader public policy community. Approaches have already been made to the Charity Commission, CBI, Local Government Association, TUC, Law Society and Management Consultancies Association to gather support for the principles and their broader adoption.

The three organisations who have developed the new guiding principles sit at the heart of the important debate about the future of lobbying.  They already self-regulate and have their own detailed Codes of Conduct.

However, they believe it is vital that all those who engage with the institutions of government should also adhere to a clear set of principles. They will be pressing other representative organisations to translate the principles into more detailed codes of conduct embodying the guiding principles and appropriate to their respective sectors.

Gill Morris, Chair of the APPC said, “Our aspiration is to see the guiding principles being adopted by representative organisations (and their members) as the basis of more specific codes of conduct akin to those already operated by the APPC, PRCA and CIPR.”

Rod Cartwright, Chair of the PRCA’s Public Affairs Committee said, “The guiding principles reflect the realities of 2007 and the fact that public affairs consultants are by no means the only people who interact with the institutions of government. We hope that this initiative will help to create a more balanced debate about lobbying and perhaps play some role in helping to improve the standing of politics overall.”
 
Robert Khan, Chair of the CIPR Government Affairs Group said, “I hope that the guiding principles will transform the public affairs industry and ensure that standards are raised.  It’s fantastic that the principles can now be adopted by everyone who interacts with government. The Government Affairs Group intends to advocate and promote these principles across the industry.”

Lionel Zetter, President of the CIPR said, “Lobbying is by its very nature is  at the heart of the democratic process. Those working in the field therefore have a duty to establish and maintain the very highest standards of behaviour. This set of guiding principles represents a big step forward, and it demonstrates the determination of the three largest bodies representing the public affairs industry to work together to drive up standards.”

Guiding Principles of Conduct

It is a fundamental right of all to make representations to holders of public office in pursuit of a change in policy or legislation, to seek information, to plead a case or to set out views. It is however important that all those making representations do so in an appropriate manner consistent with safeguarding standards in public life and trust in the democratic process.

These principles should apply to everyone seeking to influence policy and the institutions of government, whether for their own benefit or on behalf of others, and whether through direct representation, advice to others, or third parties.

The principles are designed to complement, rather than replace, any codes of conduct applicable to specific professions or groups which aim to influence policy.

1 Transparency & Openness
• Always be clear and precise about your identity and any organisation you represent, either directly or on an advisory basis.
• Never give a false identity or claim to represent an individual/organisation without express permission.

2 Accuracy & Honesty
• Never knowingly make false or misleading claims or misrepresent the views of others, and take action to avoid doing so inadvertently.
• Always provide accurate information.

3 Integrity
• Never offer financial or any other inducement, including direct or indirect payments, offers of employment or substantial gifts or entertainment, to any holder of public office in an attempt to influence the decision making process.
• Clearly declare any relevant financial or other links to the public office holder in order to ensure he or she is protected from a potential conflict of interest.

4 Propriety
• Always seek to follow the rules of the public body to which you are making representations, and where appropriate seek guidance from the public body on any rules of relevance.
• Ensure that in any dealings with holders of public office, you do not encourage them to break the rules of the institution they represent governing their activities.

Prepared by: The Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC), the Public
Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Government Affairs Group (CIPR GAG).