Today we publish a YouGov poll which ACEVO commissioned recently. The poll suggests that the Lobbying Bill should regulate lobbyists not charities.
As the Lobbying Bill is debated in the Commons today, the
poll reveals the public have far lower trust in lobbyists, to influence
Government for the benefit of society, than other sectors. Charities are the
best-trusted sector.
The public trusts charities to do this – and they don’t
trust lobbyists. So, it’s important that the Lobbying Bill takes the right
steps to restore public faith in politics. It should target corporate
lobbyists, rather than already-regulated charities who the law obliges to act
for public benefit.
When asked “To what extent, if at all, do you trust the
following organisations to use this influence over government policy for the
benefit of society?”, a mere 8% favoured lobbying consultants, with 71%
disagreeing and 20% having no opinion.
By contrast, 49% said they trusted charities to do so,
with 33% against and 19% unsure.
The poll shows much higher confidence in charities to
influence than in other sectors. The results were as follows:
• For trade
unions: 28% trust, 55% do not trust, 17% don’t know
• Private
Companies: 16% trust, 66% do not trust, 18% don’t know
• Think
Tanks: 21% trust, 58% do not trust, 22% don’t know
The survey also shows that the public believe lobbyists,
trade unions and the private sector wield much more influence over the
government than charities. When people were asked ‘How much influence, if any,
do you think the following organisations have over government policy?’ the
results were:
• Lobbying
Consultants: 63% fair amount of influence, 18% no influence, 19% don’t know
• Charities:
19% fair amount of influence, 66% no influence, 15% don’t know
• Trade
Unions: 51% fair amount of influence, 35% no influence, 14% don’t know
• Private companies:
68% fair amount of influence, 18% no influence, 14% don’t know
• Think Tanks:
53% fair amount of influence, 29% no influence, 19% don’t know
These results show that the public recognise charities’
essential role in questioning government policies and speaking out on behalf of
the most vulnerable people in society. There is a fundamental difference
between charities campaigning to improve government policy for public benefit,
and lobbyists advancing their paying clients.
Last week I wrote to Andrew Lansley MP - the Leader of
the Commons - to express concern that this lobbying bill will restrict
charities’ ability to advocate and campaign on behalf of those they represent
during election campaigns, and therefore stifle good policy and law making.
This Bill needs to tackle the real problem - lobbying - and
shouldn't restrict legitimate charity campaigning which strengthens democracy
not undermines it. It does little to limit lobbyists and instead curtails the
involvement of the third sector in advocacy and campaigning. This threatens to
limit political discussions and further marginalise society’s most
under-represented groups, as well as reducing the quality of law-making. The
third sector draws on unparalleled expertise and close connections to
beneficiary groups when it participates in public policy debates. It is an
invaluable resource for both policy-makers and the public.
I'm hopeful that common sense will prevail; if not in the
House of Commons, it will in the Lords I'm sure. But we must get this Bill
changed. So let's hope the government are listening; to the legal advice, to
the Electoral Commission and now to the public. Tackle the real problem;
regulate lobbying. Don't curb charities.
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