Lobbying bill will stifle debate, say BMA and charities

The UK government is coming under growing pressure to amend its proposed new lobbying law, as dozens of organisations, including the BMA, argue that it will stifle free speech and the watchdog that will have to enforce it questions its workability.

The Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill had its second reading in the House of Commons on 3 September and is due to go to the committee stage on 9 September.

But the BMA has joined dozens of other organisations, including pressure groups, …