Site to expose EU corporate lobbyists
by Peter John Meiklem
Big Issue Scotland
April, 2006

A secretive world of power, patronage and cash will be opened up by a groundbreaking new virtual reality website. But, far from the world of fantasy, the website will expose the workings of the European Union and the questionable power wielded by corporate
lobbyists.

Owen Espley, from research group the Corporate European Observatory (CEO) which is setting up the 3D website, said it would give everybody with computer access the chance to "enter the secret world of corporate politics".

He said: "Visitors will gain an insight into how up to a billion Euros a year is being spent to influence legislation in the interests of big business to the detriment of people and the environment."

Espley said his group believes professional lobbyists, who inform politicians about certain aspects of policy, should be subject to tighter controls. He said the new website, which uses cutting-edge 3D modelling, would take "visitors into the sights and sounds of the EU quarter in Brussels".
The tour, which can be found at www.eulobbytours.org will take in "industry funded think tanks, multinational lobbying firms and in-house corporate lobby groups".

Erik Wesselius, also of the CEO, said he hoped the website would connect with the public who are often confused by the way the European Parliament works.

He said: "There needs to be an end to overly close relations between big business and the EU instit-utions. The time for much greater transparency at the EU has come."

Alyn Smith, SNP MEP, wel-comed any public scrutiny of the European parliament but said the powers of the big business lobby were overrated. He said lobbying was an important part of the democratic system and that he couldn't see how further controls would work. "MEPs are not daft," he added.

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