Lobby register plan 'does not fit this island'

Politicians have rejected plans to create a register which would have recorded their meetings with lobbyists.

Lobbying is when individuals, businesses, trade unions, groups or charities try to get a government to amend or change its policies based on their individual interests.

Those who voted against it felt it would create unnecessary bureaucracy, but those in favour felt it would have created "greater openness and transparency".

14 members voted in favour of a register but 30 voted against it.

The proposal was brought forward by a subcommittee of the Privileges and Procedures committee which oversees the behaviour of States Members.

Deputy Tom Coles, from the Machinery of Government sub- committee outlined the reasons for bringing the proposal.

He said: "When conducted transparently and ethically, lobbying promotes civic participation, strengthens dialogue between government and stakeholders, and helps ensure that diverse voices are heard in the development of public policy."

"But unfortunately, there are always those, outside of this chamber, who want to influence for their own private gain in an under-handed way."

"That is why, bringing forward some for of lobbying register to shift the view of lobbying more from the negative and towards the positive."

The obligation to fill out the register would have been voluntary, but the committee said they expected members to fill it in.

However, politicians rejected the plans with several arguing it would create more bureaucracy.

Deputy Kirsten Morel said: "The proposition before us achieves quite simply nothing except increased bureaucracy and I can guarantee now, a lack of transparency."

"The thing that took my breath away when reading this proposition is it ignored the fact we live in Jersey."

"I can be quite simply standing outside this assembly, and I will have people from different businesses and community groups stop and talk to me."

"And what I read in this document is I have to boil down every one of those interactions into a type of interaction. "

"This would be a process that does not fit this island."

However, Deputy Kristina Moore, voted in favour of the plans.

The former Chief Minister said: "We are in a crisis at the moment, a crisis of confidence, the community lack confidence in the processes that go on here and the interests that are represented in this assembly. "

"There should be greater openness and transparency to meet the concerns of our community."

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