Faith groups take Lobbying Bill fight to the Lords
Quakers are working with other faith groups to oppose the Lobbying Bill as it moves to the House of Lords
Quakers are working with other faith groups to oppose the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill (known as the ‘Lobbying Bill’) as it moves to the House of Lords. Critics fear the Bill will prevent charities from campaigning on issues of public concern, particularly in the run up to an election. The Bill was passed by the House of Commons on 9 October after a proposed amendment to exclude charities from its scope was defeated by just thirty-seven votes. It has now passed to the House of Lords for scrutiny. The second reading is scheduled for 22 October.
Thirteen faith groups sent an open letter to the prime minister and deputy prime minister on 4 October. It was signed by groups such as World Jewish Relief, Islamic Relief, Christian Aid, Evangelical Alliance and Paul Parker on behalf of Quakers in Britain. The letter warns that the Lobbying Bill may ‘curtail our ability to express deeply-held beliefs in the political arena’ and asks the government to delay the Bill for consultation. It states: ‘While we differ on many specific issues, we unanimously recognise the value of open and honest discussion.’ The letter was quoted by Labour MP Angela Eagle who accused the government of rushing the ‘sinister’ Bill through parliament. She highlighted the concern expressed by faith groups that the Bill could still be ‘applied to a wide range of legitimate campaigns, despite such activities being intended to be party politically neutral.’
Labour MP Graham Allen described the Bill as ‘a dog’s breakfast’. He noted Quaker opposition along with that of other faith groups and ‘some 10,500 voluntary organisations’. He asked parliament: ‘Are those the wild and wacky people we need to legislate against?’
An independent commission has been launched by a coalition of prominent charities, campaign groups, academics, think tanks and online networks. The Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement (CCSDE) includes experts drawn from across civil society and will investigate the impact of the proposed legislation. It will make recommendations to parliament in time for the Committee Stage of the Bill in the Lords.
Campaign group ‘38 Degrees’ is setting up public meetings with MPs across the country for people to voice their concerns. Norwich Friends Meeting House will host a meeting with Simon Wright, MP for Norwich South, on 25 October. The meeting will be chaired by Jessica Metheringham, parliamentary engagement officer for Quakers in Britain, who listened to MPs at the evidence gathering session of the CCSDE on Monday 14 October.
She says: ‘Although the government has made some amendments to the Lobbying Bill, we still have serious concerns over the lack of clarity. There are some key concerns about freedom of expression and freedom of religion which were only touched on in the House of Commons.’
Roger Singleton, chair of the Independence Panel which seeks to protect the independence of the voluntary sector, said: ‘Voluntary and community organisations are crucial to a healthy democracy, providing vital checks and balances on behalf of otherwise powerless groups or unpopular causes. Their efforts to influence politicians to create better public services and policy is something that should be welcomed.’
Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said: ‘As Quakers we find our faith often calls us to speak out in the world and seek social change; we remain concerned that this Bill will prevent us practising this key element of our faith.’
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