18 March 2008 
"Utter nonsense" is how the Government described recent accusations that it colluded with airport operator BAA over the expansion of Heathrow. Harriet Harman responded to a call for a proper debate over the plans by saying that "all decisions on adding capacity at Heathrow will be taken independently by BAA."

Many would argue that the decision should be taken independently of BAA. But still, the idea of independence between the Government and the aviation industry, notably BAA and British Airways, becomes nonsensical when you look at the number of key people moving through the revolving door.

Take Julia Simpson for example. She was hired by Downing Street as an adviser on strategic communications in September 2006. By April 2007, less than a year into the post, it was announced that she had been hired by British Airways as its head of corporate communications. What contact she had with BA during that period is not known. According to the Cabinet Office, her diary "was wiped as soon as she left". What's certain is that she left with her contacts book intact.

This intricate network of personnel, lobbying front groups and lobbying firms created by BA and BAA secures their access to Government at the highest level. It's a textbook case of successful lobbying, and one that exposes the urgent need for some basic rules to make the whole business of lobbying more transparent. 

To explore the links, download: Easy Access: Aviation industry lobbying and its links to Government (PDF)

Read Sunday Times coverage (16 March 2008): Labour’s flying club lobbies for BAA

The Alliance for Lobbying Transparency is campaigning for new rules to be introduced that require lobbyists to disclose their activities, as well as an extended cooling off period before Government officials and MPs can work as lobbyists. 

Aviation industry lobbying and links to Government