The Werritty affair shows that now, more than ever, we need a statutory register for lobbyists.

Lobbying in politics is nothing new, but the recent resignation of Liam Fox from his ministerial post due to his close relationship with Adam Werritty has placed a new spotlight on the activities of lobbyists and the power they wield inside government. David Beetham of Democratic Audit argues that the growth of lobbying, often shrouded in secrecy, is worrying. More transparency, in the form of a statutory register of lobbyists, is needed.