Political activities and payments toolbox

An activity involving a Public Official but is NOT intended for general party support or for political campaigning that might involve the provision of resources including any property, services or facilities.

A lobbyist is an individual or an organisation who is employed to communicate with any public official to try to influence legislative or administrative action.

In some countries special laws and procedures govern the way lobbyists and consultants must behave. It’s important to know these and make sure we and anyone lobbying on our behalf always follow them.

This involves expenditures, cash or in kind, made directly or indirectly to a Public Official, political party or its branches, elected officials or political candidates or activities that involve political or public officials. This covers ‘Political Donations’, ‘Political sponsorship’ and ‘Activities involving political or public figures’.

It is a donation of money, goods or services made directly or indirectly to a Public Official, political party or its local branches that is given without charge or on non-commercial terms.  Expenditures can be for general party support or for political campaigning. Some examples of donations include: 

• any gift of money, other resources or property (including free rent of facilities);

• any sponsorship provided in relation to the party or Public Official to help them:

  • with any conference, meeting or other event

  • with any conference, meeting or other event

  • the preparation, production or distribution of any publication

• any study or research;

• any subscription or other fee paid for affiliation to, or membership of, a political party;

• any money spent (otherwise than by or on behalf of the party) in paying any expenses incurred directly or indirectly by the party or Public Official;

• the provision otherwise than on commercial terms of any property, services or facilities for the use or benefit of the party or Public Official (including the services of any person).

Also known as an industry trade group, business association, sector association or industry body) - is an organisation founded and funded by a group of companies and/or individuals with common interests or who work in the same industry. They act as a representative body for the industry they represent, putting forward the collective view and position of its members.  As the ‘industry voice’, trade associations sometimes speak on behalf of their members to government, agencies, regulators, the media and other opinion formers.