Advancing charitable causes has always involved vigorous participation in our democratic, collective decision-making.
It is no coincidence that the abolition of slavery in the British Empire, following massive campaigns of research, lobbying, demonstrations, petitions to Parliament, boycotts and brilliant media advocacy, was enacted as one of the early fruits of the Great Reform Act of 1832: campaigns for what Parliament now defines as charitable causes went hand in hand with the extension of the franchise.
In subsequent decades, campaigns for charitable causes in the democratic space promoted far-reaching changes – in the licensing of liquor, the emancipation of different religious minorities, the improvement of conditions in factories and mines, in the rights of children, in the protection of animals from cruelty, in the rights and status of women, in the protection of the countryside, Commons and other green spaces, in the cleaning of the air we breathe – to name just a few. This is not just an add-on or exception: it is, historically, a fundamental part of what the charity sector contributes to society in every generation.
An opportunity, not a threat
That is why a general election is not to be seen as a threat or danger to charities, but an important opportunity. It is a great moment of truth and accountability as politicians, however eminent, must stand meekly on the stage awaiting the verdict of the people. For the good of society, charitable causes need to be a salient part of the lobbying, debating and testing that leads up to that moment and shapes what will follow.
Charities can be absolutely sure that if they vacate the democratic space, other interests will be lobbying for what they want, and their beneficiaries could lose out. This is the big chance to ask party candidates what they will do for the charitable cause, make it an issue, and then hold them to account.
This is all the more important at a time when the short-term political dogfight, triangulating electoral calculations and media attention are all likely to ignore many vital charitable causes. As usual, the voices and interests of poorer people, disabled people, and those subject to discrimination and stigma are likely to be side-lined.
Parties might prefer to be silent about the atrophy of the resources and status of most local authorities, so vital to so many charities. And the poor state of social care and of mental health services. And the escalation of child poverty. And violence against women and girls. And younger people finding the dice loaded against them. And any number of other crucial issues of our time. Unless charities make sure they are not side-lined!
The overall health and justice of society demands that charities use their voices with passion, skill and determination, so that their causes are influential in public debate, in the manifestoes of the parties and in the minds and commitments of parliamentary candidates.
A time for care - but not fear
Provided we stick carefully to CC9, the Charity Commission’s authoritative guidance on political activity, the risks of championing the interests of our beneficiaries during the run-up to a general election are vanishingly small for the vast majority of charities.
We know we must not promote and support a particular party. At all times our motive and practice must be to promote and support our charitable cause alone. This calls for care at all times, particularly in an election period when party political passions are running high. The latest Commission guidance on social media is helpful in thinking about where public and private begin and end.
So, yes, be responsible (as usual) about your trustee duties, but that is not at all the same thing as being timid and depriving your beneficiaries of a voice at climactic moments of democratic debate and choice. Indeed, recent research by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation and Governance & Leadership found more than four in five trustee respondents see campaigning as a vital part of charities’ work.
Beware simplistic generalisations
“Charities should always be kind and bring people together, so political argument is not for them because it’s divisive!”. This is a misleading over-simplification, that even sometimes finds its way into the upper echelons of the Commission. But it is not what CC9 says at all. Many charitable campaigns have aroused bitter opposition in the short term, even if they seem obviously right and inevitable in retrospect. To expect charities in general to avoid contention and be at all times kind and gentle is profoundly unhistorical and misguided.
Our democracy needs you!
So, trustees: please do not vacate the democratic space.
The general election could be called in a matter of months., and even if you do not consider yourself a ‘campaigning’ charity, prospective new MPs and government should understand your needs. How will that happen? For example:
- Set an agenda item to be discussed in your next board meeting.
- Refresh your knowledge of CC9.
- Figure out who your prospective parliamentary candidates are in your area and make contact.
- Join in or even arrange local hustings and speak up for your cause.
- Use your charity’s expertise to assess what the different parties are saying (if anything) about your cause.
Play a proud part in the public debate about what your beneficiaries require from our next government, as charities have done ever since the franchise was won and then extended. Our democracy needs you!
A fuller version of this article is available here.
Related Articles
