Futures Forum: Concerns for campaigning: Lobbying Bill put on hold
from the Sidmouth Independent News blog:
Talk to your MP about the Lobbying Bill
11 December
This message comes from the national pressure group ‘Unlock Democracy’ :
‘Yesterday we teamed up with more than 100 organisations for a mass lobby of Parliament to launch the Civil Society Commission’s second report calling for changes to the Lobbying Bill. It was a fantastic day of action! We brought our supporters together to show that objections to the poorly-drafted bill are not going away.
It was inspiring to see the impact of ordinary people talking to peers and MPs. We know not everyone could make the lobby of Parliament. This is why we are calling on you to make it a week of action. A day of action is not enough – we need more people talking to MPs about the Lobbying Bill.
This is the last week before the bill is back in Parliament, so let’s turn this day of action into a week of action! Ask your MP for a meeting later in the week, or take part by phoning, emailing or tweeting your MP asking them to back the Commission’s report.
The Civil Society Commission’s new report lays out the real and devastating impact the bill in its current form could have. More importantly, the Commission has set out six tests that any new regulation of non-party campaigning should meet. It is essential that we convince the government, MPs and peers to change the bill so that it doesn’t stifle grassroots campaigns.
We are at a crucial stage of the Lobbying Bill campaign, when we can make all the difference simply by picking up the phone. You don’t need to be an expert! We’ve got a list of talking points on the bill. All you need to do is click here to take part in the action.
Best Wishes,
Emily Randall
Senior Campaigner, Unlock Democracy
PS. You can read the Civil Society Commission’s new report here ‘
Talk to your MP about the Lobbying Bill | Sidmouth Independent News
Unlock Democracy
civilsocietycommission.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Civil-Society-Commission-Report-2.pdf
The Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement
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The Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement published its second report on 10th December 2013.
| The Commission of Civil Society and Democratic Engagement Report 2: 10th December 2013 Non-party campaigning ahead of elections |  |
From fox-hunting to fracking and international aid to health services, public engagement in policy issues ahead of elections is central to our democracy.
A diverse coalition of over 100 prominent charities, campaign groups, academics, think tanks and online networks is backing an independent Commission in response to concerns about Part 2 of the Government’s Lobbying Bill.
This is an unusual alliance – from the Countryside Alliance to the Lancashire Badger Trust, and the National Secular Society to the Christian Institute.
The Government accepted the central recommendation of the Commission’s first report to pause the Bill pending further consultation and consideration, though for only nearly six weeks rather than the 3 months the report concluded was needed.
The second report contains a package of recommendations that, taken together, would limit the impact of the legislation on legitimate civil society campaigning ahead of elections.
How can I help?
· Contact your MP about the Lobbying Bill and ask them to read the second report, which has been sent to them.
· If you happen to know a peer personally, please let them know about the Commission’s work before Lords Committee Stage which begins on 16th December
The Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement published its first report on 29th October 2013.
| The Commission of Civil Society and Democratic Engagement Report 1: October 2013 Non-party campaigning ahead of elections |  |
The Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement
The campaign group 38 Degrees is also urging MPs to be contacted:
38 Degrees | people. power. change.
38 Degrees | Gagging Law - Petition Hand-ins - Map
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