Debate, Opinions | Questionable hat trick

– Like all other elected representatives, I must have a conscious relationship with my own competence. I can nevertheless clarify that my company has so far not sold services related to matters that have been subject to political consideration in Haugesund. Should cases arise where our customers are directly involved, I will of course raise questions of integrity, says one of the leading representatives of the Conservative party in Haugesund to Aviså – and with this statement illustrates why a lobby register is so important to put in place.

Both for trust in her as a politician, but perhaps even more so that trust in the political system can be maintained.

Competency is too important a currency for elected officials to be questioned.

That the politician establishes a company that will “sell political influence” at the same time as holding one of the most prominent roles in both the local party and as an elected official – without any warning lights flashing – is wildly sensational.

Especially in light of the fact that the same party, then in opposition, in the previous city council term, carried out something that looked suspiciously like a campaign against an elected official, whom they tried to paralyze by questioning his competence – even though legal expertise in the municipality had found him fit. A beautiful little game.

Back to the transparency that a lobby register can provide: Then it is possible to look at powerful people in the cards, avoid suspicion and ensure transparency. To some extent, at least.

But if an elected official can both sell political influence and hold a central position in governance and management, it can quickly become a demanding exercise to master.