The National Council for Voluntary Organisations has urged the sector to campaign with confidence. There has been much scare mongering over the Lobbying Act but most of the provisions only apply to organisations “where the expenditure can reasonably be regarded as intended to influence the electoral prospects of parties or candidates.” Few voluntary organisations in Camden will meet this criteria or be spending over £20,000 – the threshold for registering. The key point to remember is that you should focus on your campaign issue and not a political party. NCVO and NAVCA urge the sector to campaign with confidence – remember there are also risks with not campaigning and standing up for your issues. Although charities have been under attack for campaigning in recent years, the tide may have turned. The Lords report, ‘Stronger Charities for a Stronger Society’ praised the sector and declared that it was the “eyes, ears and conscience of society”.
NCVO has issued some clarification about the activites that are and are not acceptable in the run up to an election:
Five things that charities can do:
~ Continue campaigning on issues
~ Reach out to the candidates and ask their views on issues
~ Publish candidates’ views on issues
~ Host a debate between candidates or invite them to issue-focussed events
~ Publish a manifesto or briefing materials on issues
Four things charities can’t do:
~ Advocate for any individual party or candidate
~ Explicitly compare the organisation’s views to those of individual parties or candidates
~ Donate funds to any individual party or candidate
~ Allow their organisation to be cited in a candidate’s manifesto
Organisations with staff who are involved in high profile political activities in an individual capacity or as candidates may want to consider noting this at the next board meeting and minute how conflicts of interest will be dealt with to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.
The article is based on guidance from NCVO issued April 2017 and updated guidance issued October 2019 and articles published in Civil Society.
Election time: Campaigning with Confidence – Dos and Don’ts
