Paid Advocacy - Project Open Gov

A broad term for using a public position to promote an outside interest in return for payment or reward.

Category: Parliament and elections Parliamentary procedure

Also used as: paid advocacy, paid advocate, paid lobbying by MPs, advocacy for reward

Source / explainer: Read the House of Commons Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules

Last reviewed: 22 August 2026

Paid advocacy is a broad public-facing term for using a public position to promote an outside interest in return for payment, reward or material benefit. In the House of Commons rules, related issues are dealt with through rules on lobbying for reward or consideration and the prohibition on paid parliamentary advice.

Related terms

House of Commons Code of ConductThe rules setting expected standards of conduct for MPs in their public role.Lobbying for Reward or ConsiderationThe Commons rules restricting MPs from using parliamentary activity to benefit outside interests that reward them.Paid Parliamentary AdviceA prohibited arrangement where an MP provides paid advice on parliamentary strategy, procedure or influence.