Hello friends and colleagues
I just wanted to draw your attention to an open letter sent by members of
the UK OGP civil society network to Francis Maude on the issue of
charities, politics and civic space in the UK:
http://www.opengovernment.org.uk/charities-politics-and-civic-space-an-open-letter-to-francis-maude-mp/
To give a little background to the letter, it responds particularly to
comments made by our new Minister for Civil Society that charities should
"stay out of politics", which he later clarified to "stay out of party
politics". The fact that charities must not be partial in their campaigning
is well established in the UK. The Charity Commission (an independent
regulator of those organisations with charitable status) is very clear in
its guidance on this, but it's equally clear that charities are well within
their rights to campaign on political issues.
The problem is that the current government is conflating being "party
political" with campaigning on issues over which political parties are
divided. This would constrain the ability of an important part of civil
society in the UK to hold the government to account over policies that
impact their stakeholders. If you extrapolate their argument, it leads to
some extremely concerning scenarios for open government and civic space.
This highlights, I think, what we all already knew; the defence of civic
space is an issue for civil society in countries across the OGP - not least
the country that claims to want to be
<https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/francis-maudes-letter-to-uk-ogp-civil-society-network/francis-maudes-letter-to-uk-ogp-civil-society-network>
"the most open and transparent government in the world". I look forward to
working with all of you on highlighting and addressing this common issue
through the OGP.
For ease of reference, I have copied the text of the letter below.
All the best,
Tim
________________________________
The Rt Hon Francis Maude MP
The Cabinet Office
70 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2AS
10 September 2014
Dear Minister
*Charities, politics and civic space*
You have on a number of occasions spoken of the importance of civil society
holding government’s feet to the fire. Indeed, it has become a popular
catchphrase within the Open Government Partnership community –
encapsulating civil society’s vital role in ensuring that government is
properly scrutinised and held to account.
We were therefore surprised and concerned at the comments made by your
ministerial colleague Brooks Newmark in his first speech as Minister for
Civil Society, that charities should “stick to their knitting” and “keep
out of politics”. One might be forgiven for expecting a Minister for Civil
Society to use such an address to defend the right of civil society to
criticise and challenge the government of the day, particularly in light of
attacks on civic space by governments around the world. If democracy is to
function well, and government to be truly open and accountable, it is
everyone’s responsibility – particularly those working with some of the
most disadvantaged communities – to scrutinise and challenge government
policy.
Charities that campaign on issues or against policies related to their
charitable objectives are not interfering in party politics; they are
performing their legitimate role as a civil society actor. On this the
Charity Commission is clear:
*“All charities are united by having a vision of a better society. They
have many different purposes, and are focused on different needs. But in
the main they are united by a desire to achieve change, whether for a
particular group of people in need, or for the wider common good. It is not
surprising then that many charities wish to speak out, to use their voice
and influence, and to campaign for the changes that would best help them
achieve their purposes.”*
The OGP, which you have championed, is based on the principle that civil
society organisations, including charities, should play a full role in
public debate. We encourage you to clarify the comments of your ministerial
colleague and revisit recent legislation restricting non-party campaigning.
Such attacks on civil society undermine the UK’s reputation and the cause
of open government both domestically and internationally. The UK must set
an example to those governments around the world intent on avoiding
scrutiny and assert the right of civil society to speak out.
Yours sincerely,
Alan Hudson, Global Integrity
Alexandra Runswick, Unlock Democracy
Andy Williamson, Democratise
Anthony Zacharzewski, The Democratic Society
Cathy James, Public Concern at Work
Christine Allen, Christian Aid
David Banisar, ARTICLE 19
Diane Sheard, The ONE Campaign
Javier Ruiz, Open Rights Group
Laura James, Open Knowledge
Maurice Frankel, Campaign for Freedom of Information
Miles Litvinoff, Publish What You Pay UK
Robert Barrington, Transparency International UK
Simon Burall, Involve
Tim Davies, Practical Participation
_______________________________
*Tim Hughes*
Open Government Programme Manager
t: 0207 336 9475 | m: 07841 133383 | e: [hidden email] | w:
www.involve.org.uk
twitter: @TimJHughes <http://www.twitter.com/timjhughes> | skype:
TimJHughes07 | linkedin: Tim Hughes
<http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/tim-hughes/26/455/793/>
Involve | 33 Corsham Street | London | N1 6DR
Registered Charity No - 1130568
Check out Involve's contributions to the Open Government Guide: 'Citizen
Engagement' & 'Public Services' topics
<http://www.involve.org.uk/blog/2013/11/04/open-government-guide-citizen-engagement-public-services/>
<http://www.participationcompass.org> |
Locked
