Complex matter. There is legitimate lobbying, which is for expert groups affected by s policy to make their position known. The issue is that the process favour

Complex matter. There is legitimate lobbying, which is for expert groups affected by s policy to make their position known. The issue is that the process favours big commercial players that can cough up the cash for long-term professional lobbyists. Consumer groups, NGOs, etc. mostly have to resort to signature campaigns etc. But lobbying is helpful. Consider niche technical issue where maybe 3-4 organisations do reply have established expertise (because they are commercially engaged). There is often on specific policy no established evidence at the moment in time when government has to make a decision, nor is the way forward obvious. Thus it's a matter of hearing everyone concerned and finding a nuanced path forward. Wonlobbying is legitimately useful. But what has totally spun out of control is the US lobbying machine (which sadly is spreading to other places), which really often is just bribery in many ways.