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As the Liam Fox affair widens into a debate about regulating lobbyists, commentators look at the lobbying industry.

Political blogger how he first uncovered Adam Werritty's lobbying in 2009. He says the people funding lobbyists aren't motivated by money but influence. This, he says, has its own dangers:

"Democracy's success depends upon voters being well informed. Achieving that goal demands transparency both of intention and relationships. Multimillionaire businessmen may believe they are working in society's best interests, but it is for all the people, not just those with money, to decide what utopia looks like."

Conversely the there is big money in lobbying, something that needs to be uncovered:

"Where this £2bn-a-year industry becomes a target of suspicion, and a potential source of corruption, is when its practitioners operate in secret, either by pretending that they are motivated by beliefs when in fact there is money involved, or by trying to disguise the fact that they are lobbyists.
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"The most effective way to prevent 'in-betweeners' from bending the rules would be to force them, by law, to come out from any dark corners where they may be hiding, say who they are and who is paying them to do what. It should not be difficult to get legislation through Parliament. All it needs is the political will. If the Government suddenly finds the will, we can thank Adam Werritty."

The not to get fooled that Liam Fox was just a minister mesmerised by an outsider. This, he says, is a problem with the system:

"For a reforming Government such as this one, labouring night and day to prevent a global economic catastrophe, legislation of this sort doubtless seems a fairly low priority. The Fox Affair should be persuasion -if further persuasion were needed - that regulation of lobbying ought to be granted government time in Parliament as soon as possible. Why did Adam Werritty behave as he did? Because he could."

that the relationship between MPs and lobbyists may be hard to untangle:

"No fewer than 19 of 143 newly-elected Conservative MPs worked as lobbyists before entering Parliament.
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"So perhaps the Prime Minister shouldn't be surprised that a lobbying controversy has cost the career of one of his ministers. The question is: will he at last do something about it?"

Nick Deynes points out that David Cameron said in 2010 that lobbying was the next big scandal to happen. But against a block ban on lobbying:

"Lobbying will always be a part of politics, in the same way advertising will always be an integral part of capitalism. Without it our leaders would not be exposed to a plurality of ideas. It would not be healthy if politicians just listened to those they wanted to or solely interacted within the limited circle of those they know. But the business of lobbying needs a good dose of sunshine directed onto it."