Civil Servants

I've just been reading a new bit of investigative journalism from The Bureau of Investigative Journalism about the giant companies treating senior civil servants to nights out, fancy meals, tickets to football matches (Bureau publishes comprehensive civil service hospitality database).

I'm disgusted.  But I'm not surprised.  Let's face it we don't live in the democracy we are told we do, after all.  Until those civil servants spend an equivalent amount of time with every person on the registrar of voters, then I won't believe this isn't corruption. I know we'll be told the companies arent buying influence, just 'time'.  Shall we guess?  Exactly the amount of time (and luxury) it takes to successfully influence someone, get them to look after their 'new friends'.