Cause for questions

Operation Duryodhana only provides the screenplay to an older narrative. We have all nursed reasonable suspicions about political representa...

Operation Duryodhana only provides the screenplay to an older narrative. We have all nursed reasonable suspicions about political representatives and their conduct in legislatures. The sting operation that frames 11 MPs across political parties accepting cash for questions is not at all revelatory. In its several action replays on TV screens in our drawing rooms, however, it does compel us to confront a grey reality that we may have been otherwise too cynical, too lazy, or too timid to look fully in the eye. The question, after the sting, is not whether or not there are special interests that seek to influence our lawmakers and governments. It isn8217;t the morally charged one about whether that is good or bad news for democracy either. Those are no-brainers. The real question is: how equipped is our parliamentary system to ensure that when and whereever it takes place, interest articulation happens in ways that are consistent with the principles of transparency, probity and equal access to the democratic process?

This is a question that has risen to the surface in recent times in other systems in the world. If the varied responses of different countries is any indication, there are no easy or standard answers. The German Bundestag has specific and formal rules regarding registration of lobbyists. All groups that seek to articulate special interests must register with the Bundestag; this register is published annually. The US has one of the longest traditions of formal regulation of lobbyists; and Canada one of the most rigorous and elaborate. In the UK, on the other hand, an influential view has held that statutory regulation might have the effect of conferring special status on lobbyists; the system has, therefore, chosen to regulate the lobbied rather than the lobbyists. A detailed code of conduct has been devised for MPs which requires them to adhere to the strictest standards of disclosure of interests and conflicts of interest.

The 11 MPs who proved to be such easy pickings for special interests out to purchase influence must be punished. And it is heartening that the political parties they belong to and Parliament itself have reacted immediately and firmly. But if we do not go beyond the instant outrage to the real issue8212; that of shining the light on the lobbyists as well as the lobbied in order that they may both be regulated in formal and informal ways8212;we would be missing the point.