lobbyists

• lobbyists sell expert knowledge
• 2012 'save our shops campaign' - campaign to persuade MPs to exempt local newsagents form new laws to keep tobacco products behind shutters
• 2012 'save our shops campaign' - funded by British American Tobacco, bypassing laws that prevent tobacco companies from lobbying MPs
• 2012 'save our shops campaign' - ultimately failed but convinced 80 MPs
• lobbyists arrange events for clients to meet those in power
• £2 billion is spent annually by organisations on lobbyists
• 15% of newly elected MPs in 2010 came from lobbyist backgrounds
• 53 former ministers work for lobbying firms
• 2014 Act which mandated all lobbying activities to be registered, aiming to improve transparency
• Transparency International reported that over 2,735 companies and individuals met with ministers during one quarter alone in 2015