Most Conservative MPs think the charity sector as a whole is “too political”, while most Labour MPs do not, according to new research.
nfpResearch surveyed 100 MPs and found that almost two in three of those from Labour think relations with charities and parliament are “good” or “very good”, compared to just over a third of Conservative MPs.
“This could be a positive sign for charities, as the potential of a Labour majority should spark optimism about the sector’s relationship with government,” a blog on the research says.
Researchers found party differences on the topic of charities being political, with Labour and Conservative MPs at different ends of the scale.
Almost all Conservatives said that some charities are too political compared to one in four Labour MPs.
Moreover, four in five Conservative MPs said that the charity sector as a whole is too political compared with less than one in 10 Labour MPs.
‘Challenging for charities’ in run-up to election
The blog by nfpResearch head of influencer audiences research Heather Sturgess says: “The increase in Conservative MPs in agreement with the idea that the charity sector is ‘too political’ is cause for concern.
“It will be challenging for charities to strike the right balance in the run-up to the election as they advocate for their causes to be considered.
“Should Labour win the next election it will be interesting to see whether Conservative perceptions that charities are ‘too political’ prevail as the opposition party.
“Labour being less likely to see charities as ‘political’ suggests they will be more open to discussion and debate with charities on policies. However, this idea will be tested should it be Labour’s policies that are facing scrutiny from charities.”
The findings are based on a sample of 100 MPs representative of party and region.
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