The Political and Constitutional Reform Committee, Chaired by Graham Allen MP, have approved the Government’s preferred candidate, Alison White, to be the first ever Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists.
The former Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association went before the PCR Committee on Thursday 11 September. The Committee issued a Report along with the formal minutes of the meeting, in which they concluded that they are “satisfied that Alison White has the professional competence and personal independence required for the post… We therefore support her appointment and wish her every success in the new role”.
The Committee did however raise concerns relating to how the candidate would respond if “the legislation was found to be wanting”, and questioned the candidate’s lack of familiarity with the lobbying industry and lack of a working knowledge of Parliament. It also called for clarification about any potential conflict of interests rising from White’s post as Non-Executive Director of the QE II Conference Centre.
The Cabinet Office originally advertised the role in May 2014, then again in August 2014 when the daily rate on offer was increased from £380 to £420. Sixteen candidates applied for the vacancy in August, of which five were shortlisted and the three most appointable candidates were put forward to meet Sam Gyimah MP (Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office) and Tom Brake MP (Deputy Leader of the House of Commons).
Alison White was named as the Government’s preferred candidate on Wednesday 10 September, just a day before the pre-appointment hearing, something which disappointed the Committee: “It is regrettable that we were not given more notice of the candidate's name. The timetable also left the candidate with very little time to prepare for the pre-appointment hearing.”
The report was also delivered with a more general warning to the Government that the Committee “continue to believe that the Government’s policy on lobbying is flawed”, amid much industry discontent with the Government’s proposal to introduce a Register of Lobbyists.
Last week the Cabinet Office released its draft regulations consultation, offering all interested parties the opportunity to comment on the draft regulations ahead of the establishment of the Register of Consultant Lobbyists. Chair of the APPC, Iain Anderson, welcomed the publication, adding that “the consultation raised important questions about the format of the register and the cost for agencies to be listed”.