We wrote to a variety of MEPs, MPs, government ministers, other politicians and business organisations.
Here are summaries of their responses:
Charles Tannock MEP, Conservative - no response yet
Claude Moraes MEP, Labour - no response yet
Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat - I am seeking to create an instrument with standards that are workable, realistic and enforceable by being user-friendly for citizens, allowing reasonable business to proceed, focused on outcomes rather than on process and tick-box exercise, and tough in sanctions on companies which practise deception or otherwise cheat the customer.
Dr Syed Kamall MEP, Conservative - The regulations must protect the privacy of citizens without putting too much of a burden on small and medium sized businesses. There is still a long way to go but we are optimistic a good result can be achieved.
Gerard Batten MEP, UK Independence Party - All legislation affecting citizens of the UK should be made at Westminster. I will therefore be voting against these regulations.
Jean Lambert MEP, Green - no response yet
Mary Honeyball MEP, Labour - I do not sit on the committees considering this matter. [BUT SHE DOES GET TO VOTE ON IT]
Marina Yannakoudakis MEP, Conservative - The regulations must protect the privacy of citizens without putting too much of a burden on small and medium sized businesses. There is still a long way to go but we are optimistic a good result can be achieved.
David Cameron, Prime Minister - It's the responsibility of the Business Secretary, so I've passed your letter to Vince Cable.
Vince Cable, Business Secretary - Letter passed to the Ministry of Justice.
Lord McNally, Justice Minister, Liberal Democrat - We want to protect the civil liberties of individuals while allowing for economic growth and innovation. The UK benefits of the proposals are outweighed by the costs of additional administrative and compliance measures they introduce. The regulations in their current form could have a net cost to the UK economy of £100m-£360m per annum. The Government's position is to negotiate for EU legislation that does not impose disproportionate burdens on business, including the direct marketing industry.
Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Opposition - Your comments have been noted.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London - I have no input to this. Try writing to the Direct Marketing Association.
Chuka Umunna, Shadow Business Secretary - no response yet
Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister - no response yet
Institute of Directors - We are working on forming a policy position around the incoming legislation.
Federation of Small Businesses - We agree that the new rules will have a devastating effect on the direct marketing industry and are working hard to have them changed.