Lobbying Act prompts decision at Friends House
Britain Yearly Meeting considers registering as a non-party campaigner
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) trustees are being asked to decide whether BYM should register with the Electoral Commission as a non-party campaigner.
The move is a response to the Transparency of Lobbying Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014. The Act requires organisations spending over a certain amount on campaigning activities that could influence how people vote to register as non-party campaigners.
Registration is required for organisations spending more than £20,000 a year in England or £10,000 in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Jessica Metheringham, BYM parliamentary engagement officer, told the Friend that having looked at work plans for peace, sustainability, social justice and equality activities, the organisation expects just over £50,000 worth of its work to fall under the remit of the new Act.
‘Although we are not party political, under a plain-text reading of the Act and the guidance, what we do could, potentially, be seen by others as biased. It is a reputational risk and we are therefore expecting to register’, she said.
Jessica stressed that registering as a non-party campaigner would not prevent Quakers from speaking out, nor would it change the way in which the organisation works.
She added that Area Meetings should also be aware of the requirements of the Lobbying Act, suggesting that they visit a new page on lobbying which is to be added soon to the ‘Quakers in Britain’ website.
The Act became law in January and the first regulated period begins on 19 September, lasting until next May’s general election. Questions have also been raised about the Act’s lack of understanding of faith groups, Jessica said.
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