Secretive meetings between MSPs and lobbyists should be subjected to greater scrutiny, new polling has revealed.

A survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of the Scottish Alliance for Lobbying Transparency (SALT) – released exclusively to the Sunday Herald - has found that two thirds of voters believe that meetings, emails and telephone calls between politicians and lobbyists should be catalogued.

Two thirds of those asked also said they fear the policy process could be corrupted unless a public register is set up.

And almost three quarters of more than 1000 adults polled said contact between so-called spads (special advisors) and key stakeholders should be recorded.

MSPs will debate the proposed Lobbying Bill on January 7 and SALT – an alliance of civil society groups campaigning for greater transparency – has called for the scope of the draft bill to be significantly widened.

The Scottish Government legislation would require lobbyists to complete a public register to show that communication has been made with the government and what it is about.

SALT, however, want to see a register of lobbying of all public officials, not just MSPs and ministers; the definition of lobbying to be expanded to all communication; and full financial disclosure of lobbying budgets.

The alliance – which includes the Electoral Reform Society Scotland, Alcohol Focus Scotland, the Common Weal, Unlock Democracy and Spinwatch – commissioned YouGov to survey 1,041 adults in Scotland between December 17 and 21.

They were first asked how much risk of corrupting the policy making process the absence of any register or record of meetings between MSPs and lobbyists poses and 67% indicated that there is a “big/significant risk”. Only 9% said there was “not much/no risk”.

Those surveyed were then asked whether a register should cover meetings between lobbyists and politicians, advisers and senior civil servants and 70% said that it should. The poll also found that 68% are in favour of the inclusion of emails and telephone contact in the public record.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay MSP, who has spearheaded a drive for stricter regulations in Scotland, said: “This poll provides overwhelming evidence of the public’s desire to see a robust and transparent register implemented in Scotland and I hope that the Scottish Government will take heed of this because what is being proposed is completely unsatisfactory and smacks of tokenism.”

Katie Gallogly-Swan, Campaigns Organiser at Electoral Reform Society Scotland, a member of SALT, said: “We can see from this YouGov poll that they are deeply suspicious of big money and secret lobbying. Scots want openness and transparency in their government.

“We all have a duty to meet that expectation but our MSPs should feel that duty more strongly than anyone else. They have a choice on this Lobbying Bill, let in the light and build some trust, or keep it in the dark and harm democracy.”

Robin McAlpine, Director at think tank Common Weal, said: “It’s really important that Scotland’s politicians listen to this message and strengthen the Lobbying Bill in the ways Scottish citizens are asking them to.”

Will Dinan, Director of Spinwatch, added: “It is now up to the Scottish government to legislate for a meaningful disclosure regime that will match the expectations of the Scottish public.”

However, the convener of the Association for Scottish Public Affairs, Alastair Ross, insisted the bill in its current form is a “reasonable compromise between increased transparency and administrative burden”.

“Face to face meetings are the most effective form of lobbying and the most likely to significantly affect decisions taken,” he said.

Ross also warned that the cost of the legislation could spiral if SALT’s demands were met. He added: “This bill is already expected to cost the parliament more than £2m in the next five years. Extending it to meet SALT’s proposals will push that price up massively so we need to ask what benefit will that bring for the public.”

The Scottish Minster for Parliamentary Business Joe Fitzpatrick said: “The Scottish Parliament already has strict rules over lobbying, but it is important to ensure that such activity is conducted openly.

“I am pleased the bill received the (Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments) Committee’s endorsement of the general principles of the bill in their Stage 1 report published recently.

“We will continue to review recommendations with a view to ensuring that the proposed register remains proportionate, simple and does not place an undue burden on organisations."

The Sunday Herald also contacted the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) but they did not respond to a request for comment.