Lobbying Bill letter

4 October 2013

 

Dear Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister,

 

Open Letter: the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigningand Trade Union Administration Bill

 

We are writing to you regarding the potential impact of theTransparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade UnionAdministration Bill on religious groups and faith-basedorganisations. We are concerned that Part II of this Bill, evenwith the Government amendment, may curtail our ability to expressdeeply-held beliefs in the political arena.

 

We represent a number of different religious groups andfaith-based organisations, supporting a wide and diverse range ofconcerns. While we differ on many specific issues, we unanimouslyrecognise the value of open and honest discussion. Our beliefs andour practices often call for us to engage in debate. The work wecarry out to raise awareness of issues important to our communitiesarises from our beliefs and is a manifestation of our faith.

 

Whilst we support the broad aims of greater clarity andtransparency and do not wish to see large amounts of money oropaque lobbying practices distorting British politics, we fear thatthe Bill may lead to unintended consequences. Following legaladvice and a statement from the Electoral Commission, we remainconcerned that despite the Government's proposed amendments westill do not have the necessary legal certainty that Part II ofthis Bill could not be applied to a wide range of legitimatecampaigns, despite such activities being intended to be partypolitically neutral. We are concerned that this Bill does notadequately safeguard the activities of religious organisations andthat there is a very real risk that non-biased political activitywill be captured by the resultant Act.

 

We remain deeply concerned at the short timescale of this Billand consider that time spent now will prevent futuremisinterpretation and save time in the long term. We ask you todelay the passage of this Bill to allow for consultation on thesecomplex constitutional issues.

 

Signed by

 

Paul Anticoni

CEO, World Jewish Relief

 

Isabel Carter

Chair, Operation Noah

 

Niall Cooper

National Co-ordinator, Church Action on Poverty

 

Lt. Colonel Marion Drew

Secretary for Communications, The Salvation Army UK andIreland

 

Revd Sally Foster-Fulton

Convener, Church and Society Council of the Church ofScotland

 

Revd Ruth Gee

President of the Methodist Conference

 

Dr Dave Landrum

Director of Advocacy, Evangelical Alliance

 

Jehangir Malik

UK Director, Islamic Relief

 

Loretta Minghella

Director, Christian Aid

 

Farooq Murad

Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain

 

Paul Parker

Recording Clerk, Quakers in Britain

 

Rabbi Sybil Sheridan

Chair of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis, UK

 

Neil Thorns

Director of Advocacy, CAFOD