Civil society campaigners have expressed lower expectations of the Labour government’s openness than before the party was elected, according to a new survey.
Two-thirds of campaigners believed a Labour government would be more open to campaigners shaping policy before the general election, according to the annual survey by the infrastructure charity Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK).
But six months into Labour’s government, just over half of respondents to the survey, which interviewed 68 campaigners and activists between 18 December 2024 and 19 January 2025, said so.
Two in five campaigners previously said a Labour government would be more willing to engage in open public discussion, but since the election now only one in four believe it is.
A survey respondent said: “There has been a marked change in engagement with the new government.
“While on the surface they maintain a hostile rhetoric on asylum, they are engaging, which is a much better position than under the previous government.”
Campaigning freedoms
Most campaigners reported that they had better access to decision-makers, greater openness to policy influence and more meaningful consultation.
But fewer than half of respondents said they expected new government legislation to be more sympathetic to civil society.
And when it comes to laws affecting campaigning freedoms such as protest laws or the Lobbying Act, one in eight campaigners said they are “likely” or “very likely” to be reviewed in the government’s first term.
Two-thirds of campaigners reported facing resistance or backlash from politicians, while around half had experienced them from the media.
Three-fifths of respondents stated that the negative rhetoric was directly affecting their work.
‘Campaigning remains tough’
Pete Moorey, Sheila McKechnie Foundation chair, said: “Campaigners welcomed the shift in tone from the new government, and there are real signs of greater openness and engagement.
“But after early optimism, expectations are beginning to settle, and campaigners are waiting to see what real change will follow.
“At the same time, campaigning remains tough. Polarisation, media hostility, and restrictive laws are real challenges, and we can’t ignore the emotional toll this takes.
“Campaigners are resilient, but they need more than just encouragement—they need stronger networks, sustained funding, and long-term support to keep driving change.”
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