Conservative shadow ministers have pledged to rekindle the party’s relationship with the charity sector in opposition.
Speaking at a Pro Bono Economics event yesterday, shadow culture secretary and former civil society minister Stuart Andrew said the relationship between the sector and the Conservative Party was “sometimes good, but sometimes strained”.
Andrew said: “During my time as the minister for civil society, there frankly wasn't enough of that engagement with the sector, and that was one of the things that I have taken away with me as a massive learning curve.”
Louie French, the shadow civil society minister, told the event that the Conservative Party would hold roundtable discussions with charities to listen to the issues they face.
“The whole purpose of these roundtables is a moment of reflection, but also a moment of opportunity to go forward,” he said.
“We may not agree on everything, but we can understand where you're coming from and what the actual issues are and pick those up and try and challenge them.
“That's the key to those relationships over the longer term and making sure that hopefully when we're in government a few years’ time, those relationships continue.”
When asked about the recent failed attempt to exempt small charities from the upcoming rise in employer national insurance contributions, French said: “It’s very disappointing, particularly in the hospice sector.
“It just seems illogical that the government has not understood the impact on the NHS or other parts of the care sector from not exempting parts of the care system from the national insurance increases. It's just foolish.”
More opportunities to engage
Hannah Pearce, director of campaigns, policy and research at the Royal British Legion, said a lack of positive relationships between some charities and the Conservative Party had created antagonism.
“If you're a charity that doesn't have any formal or informal links with the Conservative Party, the Conservative Party can feel really impenetrable,” Pearce said.
The party should provide more formal and informal opportunities for charities to engage with, she added.
Ruth Hollis, chief executive of Spirit of 2012, said it would be valuable for the Conservatives and particularly local charities to build a relationship that ensures long-term, stable funding in a difficult fiscal environment.
“Those kinds of issues are arising because people don't feel they're listened to,” she told the event.
“They don't feel their issues and voices are being heard. So listening and building that relationship at the local and fundamental level is really critical.
“Conservative MPs are well placed to go out and listen to their constituencies to work with smaller charities and then to amplify that up.”
When asked if the Conservative Party would keep the upcoming Civil Society Covenant if the party comes back to power, French said: “It’s too early to say.
“Making a lot of noise about a covenant is one thing. Actually doing damaging policies like the national insurance hike is another.
“We won’t oppose for the sake of opposing. We want to be constructive, but we need to see the details.”
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