FREE PUBLIC MEETING: Open Up Lobbying Sheffield, Unlock Democracy Website @ The Quaker Meeting House, 10 St James Street, S1 2EW from 7pm to 9pm, on Thursday, 12th April 2012.
Register FREE: http://tinyurl.com/lobby-Sheff; ASK your questions in advance.
Organised by
- Vicky Seddon, Sheffield for Democracy Chair
- Emily Randall, Unlock Democracy’s Campaigns and Outreach Officer
Speakers:
- Paul Blomfield MP for Sheffield Central (Labour);
- Tamasin Cave, Spinwatch Director;
- Joe Otten, Councillor for Dore &Totley and Chair of Hallam LibDems.
Purpose
Critically, Unlock Democracy has organised a public meeting in Sheffield to open up the debate on lobbying, prepare a collective response for Government’s proposals and tell the Minister of Political & Constitutional Reform, Mark Hooper, what you think.
Unlock Democracy want you to:
- Join them at their public meeting with Paul Blomfeld
- Put pressure on the Government to Open Up Lobbying
- Make this meeting big by circulating details to everyone you know via twitter and facebook’s events page – links on their website.
Background: Sunday Times’ recent investigation into Conservative Party fundraising focussed public attention on how political influence can be bought. We may have been shocked by the frank language of our former Conservative Party Treasurer, Peter Cruddas. It was no surprise that money influences our political system. Government consultation for a register of lobbyists is in hand. The Coalition is pledged to create a register of lobbyists; the public have to show interest to prevent it diluted or shelved.
