This post is by Tim Harrison, head of professional audiences at nfpSynergy. It was first posted on the nfpSynergy blog.
Now that the chips have settled and the Lobbying Bill has been passed, we can reflect on the fallout for the government and the third sector. Read more
The Lobbying Bill is now an Act and will make life more difficult for civil society. The ball is in Labour’s court to announce that they would repeal it if elected. That may make it easier for the other two parties to catch up with themselves and realise that a less muzzled civil society is in their interest. Read more
There is a country in which non-party campaigns by NGOs, think tanks and others are deemed by the state to be a risk to the ‘legitimacy of the system of government’. Where for a year before a general election any campaign which might change what voters think of political parties have to be ‘controlled’ in order to ‘ protect public confidence’ in the electoral system. Where it is a criminal offence to breach the rules of such regulation. That country is Britain. It’s been that way for over a decade and it will remain that way whether the Lobbying Bill is passed or not. Read more
