Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill (HL Bill 50 of 2013–4)

This Note provides background reading on the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill, which is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 22 October 2013. It summarises the key provisions, background and proceedings in the House of Commons for each of the Bill’s three main parts, with a focus on report stage and third reading. Part 1 creates a statutory register of consultant lobbyists, and establishes the post of Registrar to enforce the registration requirements. Part 2 deals with non-party campaigning; it changes the legal requirements for people or organisations who campaign in relation to elections but are not standing as candidates or a registered political party. Part 3 changes the existing legal requirements in relation to trade unions’ obligations to keep their list of members up to date.