Siân regularly publishes a record of all of her official meetings with campaigners, lobbyists and other organisations.
She is calling for every other MP to do the same in an effort to increase transparency among elected representatives. Currently, while substantial gifts and hospitality must be declared by all MPs, and Government ministers have to record and release details of official meetings, there is no requirement for details of meetings with lobbyists to be published by MPs. This is in contrast to stronger requirements for transparency from MEPs.
As a London Assembly Member, Siân and her Green colleagues also voluntarily released data on their meetings, matching the practice of London Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan.
Criteria for inclusion in official meeting log:
- We include all scheduled policy discussions with NGOs, charities businesses and other lobby groups, as well as meetings where substantial discussions of future work take place at Parliamentary meetings and drop-ins.
- We exclude appearances at public meetings hosted by these groups and meetings in Parliament that are open to the public, as well as meetings between MPs and other elected representatives.
- We exclude casework and surgery meetings, and constituent lobbies unless these are with local or national campaign groups acting collectively.
- We exclude meetings with journalists and with people raising issues of public interest on whistleblower terms.
Siân’s official meetings: