Wonk for Sale : “Pundit Payola“ they are calling it in the beltway. Think-tankers on the take is what it is, and cash-for-access is the game at the Foreign Policy Centre – this month their newsletter offers multinational corporations two choices, firstly the chance to meet Jack Straw at the Foreign Office for £10,000. Not much beating about the bush here – its by invitation only and those invites cost £10,000. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, they aim “to facilitate a dialogue between policy makers and key stakeholders on how government decisions impact on commercial and organisational plans.”

If you are a media conglomerate or just can’t afford £10,000, for £300 you can meet second choice James Purnell MP, the Minister for Media and lobby him about that juicy broadcasting licence you wanted (Kip Meek from OFCOM will be there so you can put it to the regulator as well at the same time). Guido would pay £300 to avoid meeting James Purnell…