Wine and dine democracy is now on trial – and about time | Simon Jenkins

The Westminster affair shows the potential power of the lobbying industry. Oversight is crucial for all

Each time a US gunman goes berserk, the British media erupts in fury at the money the gun lobby can devote to its lethal interest. To be sure, big time lobbying is the occupational disease of American politics. In the US, it can have murderous consequences. Still, on matters of principle, Britons would do well to watch their hypocrisy.

The sums spent by property companies on lobbying Westmins...