Good to see the DT have carried my letter to them about
their disgraceful attack on charity campaigning today. Whichever Editor wrote
that particular piece needs to hang his (or her but I doubt that) head in
shame.
So you can see it in case you are not a regular reader of
the DT here it is:
“SIR – Your leading article (“Politicising
charity”, June 5) attacks a fundamental pillar of British democracy.
Political campaigning by charitable
organisations has been a force for good in our country for centuries, from the
Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade’s petition to parliament in 1787,
to the establishment of societies for the prevention of cruelty to children and
animals in the Victorian era.
Political advocacy by charities arose from
the desire of like-minded people to do all they can for the beneficiaries,
communities and causes to which they dedicate themselves. There can be no
justification for restricting this ability.
Any restriction on charities’ right to
campaign would represent an assault on the principle of freedom of speech. It
would also reduce the level of political representation of many vulnerable and
under-represented groups in society.
Last but not least, it would undermine one
of the fundamental freedoms of British political life: the right of ordinary
people to join together in order to seek political change for the public good.
Sir Stephen Bubb
CEO, Association of Chief Executives of
Voluntary Organisations London N1. "
Good on them for publishing it. And I'm glad to see that
one of the MPs on the PASC has described the report as “atrocious". One
couldn't possibly comment! I think this is one report heading for a small
footnote in history.
I spent the last 2 days back in my old haunts in the
Bodleian Library. It was amusing to read of the deliberations of the
Parliamentary Committee on charity set up in 1952 under Lord Nathan. It took 8
years of thinking before a new 1960 Charities Act was produced. They thought
long and hard about defining charity. In the end they concluded it was not a
good idea. Indeed Viscount Simmonds, a Law lord declared there was no point
because it was not capable of sensible definition in law and best left to
common law. A useful rebuke to those on the PASC who have, after a cursory look
decided that they can define it and “public benefit" is no good.
Always useful to
have sources of historical perspective. I recommend them to PASC members. A
period of reflection I the Bodleian would do them good. As it has me!
And it was good to
meet Isabel Holowaty, the Director of the history collection here who has given
me some handy tips on searching the collections. I think the book is taking
shape in my head. I just need to get a précis and find a publisher. I fancy an
upmarket one; Bloomsbury or OUP. Any offers?
But now it’s off to the Charlbury Farmers Market!
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