Concerns for campaigning: Lobbying Act will continue to restrict charities

Over three years ago, the Lobbying Act was passed, causing great concern amongst charities whose campaigning activities were considerably limited:
Futures Forum: Concerns for campaigning: Lobbying Bill to become law
Futures Forum: Concerns for campaigning: Lobbying Bill vote in the Lords

A review was undertaken during the summer - recommending major changes:
'Chilling' Lobbying Act stifles democracy, charities tell party chiefs | Politics | The Guardian

- but the government has now said it won't have the time to consider them:
Lord Hodgson disappointed his lobbying act recommendations will be ignored | Third Sector
Charities condemn rejection of changes to Lobbying Act | Politics | The Guardian

Charity anger at ministers' refusal to relax lobbying rules

• 15 September 2017
 
• From the sectionUK Politics

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image captionThere were protests against the lobbying legislation when it went through Parliament in 2013

Charities have reacted angrily after ministers refused to relax rules restricting them from campaigning during elections.

More than 100 charities - ranging from Greenpeace to the Girl Guides - wrote to the government calling for the Lobbying Act to be overhauled.

A government-commissioned review by Tory peer Lord Hodgson backed them. But government sources said there was no time in a packed legislative programme to change the law.

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: "The rules on third party campaigning in elections ensure that activity is transparent and prevents any individual, company or organisation exerting undue influence in terms of an election outcome. We recognise and value the role that charities play in our society and are keen to work with voluntary bodies to ensure the rules are well understood."

'Terrible day'

The charities claim legislation passed in 2014 stopped them from "engaging" during the general election campaign.

"How are charities supposed to speak up for the most vulnerable and marginalised people in society, both here and globally, when they are at risk of being penalised by the Lobbying Act?," said Tamsyn Barton, chief executive of international development charity Bond.

"The government is legislating the sector into silence at a time when our voices are needed the most. This is a terrible day for British democracy."

The act limits how organisations not deemed to be "party political" can campaign during election periods. Charities say they either have to take expensive legal advice to stay within the rules or restrict their activities.

Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, which represents 13,000 voluntary organisations in England, said: "The failure of the Cabinet Office to address this issue is unacceptable. The government made a clear commitment to reviewing the impact of this law, and to now reject any changes out of hand can only weaken the voice of those that charities serve. These reasonable and considered recommendations were recently endorsed by politicians from all parties in the House of Lords, and the government must reconsider."

Charities warned of potential difficulties with the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act when it passed through parliament in 2013.

At the time, Labour MPs called the legislation "risible and misconceived", predicting that it would give a "hammering" to the voluntary sector.

Charity anger at ministers' refusal to relax lobbying rules - BBC News
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