Lobbyists stick two fingers up to transparency

Registration for lobbyists in Brussels is going to remain voluntary despite just a 9% sign up rate, according to a Libertas statement released today.

Although it may not sound like a big deal, the secret meetings with lobbyists are one of the biggest problems in Brussels. Not only are the most important people in the EU unelected, they are also heavily influenced by the 15,000 lobbyists based in Brussels. The attempt to encourage them to sign a voluntary register has failed, but in true EU style, they are ignoring the problem.

Unsurprisingly 91% of these lobbyists have decided that they would rather not announce themselves and instead will carry on meeting with Commissioners, bureaucrats and MEPs in secret. We don't even know who these lobbyists represent.

We already know from experience in the UK that lobbyists buy access to ministers and MPs though conferences, free tickets, flights etc, but lobbying in Brussels is on a whole different scale, with nearly 20 lobbyists for every MEP.

I am hoping that Libertas will not only continue to fight for a mandatory register, but will lead by example and publish the details of all meetings between Libertas MEPs and lobbyists in Brussels.