Labour must seize the charities agenda

By James Valentine

The Tories talk a lot about charities. When Cameron does photo-ops you’ll often see him with charity workers. And their agenda is clear. The state is seen as being too impersonal, bureaucratic, and even repressive. Public services aren’t a universal entitlement but should shrink to provide a safety net for the poor. More than that, the Tories imply that the state is actually opposed to charity – exemplified by Cameron’s grotesque statement that “Human kindness, generosity and imagination are steadily being squeezed out by the work of the state.”

In fact, charity turnover has doubled under Labour. As the Government has spent more on public services, so it has commissioned charities to carry out aspects of these services in flexible and innovative ways. And rather than “squeezing out” kindness, Labour’s period in office has seen people giving ever more to charity. As well as giving money, people are generous with their time; volunteering is more popular than ever and increasing numbers of citizens serve as charity trustees.

Mutuals and co-ops are part of the third sector family and it’s great that Gordon is now recognising the contribution that mutualism could make for Labour’s message.

The Co-operative Party‘s manifesto is already written and serves as an exemplar for Labour. Friendly societies and the co-operative movement are intrinsic to Labour’s structure and history and we should all celebrate this.

But there’s more to do. Over the weekend I met the Labour-supporting representative of an influential group of charities who spoke of being “love-bombed” by Tory shadow cabinet members – they’re always available to meet with charities and listen to their advice. By contrast, the Government side, has, apparently, been a bit slow to engage. Labour must seize the agenda, and there are many Labour sympathisers who would help them; a recent poll showed the third sector is overwhelmingly in support of Labour.

I believe that the Tories play up the charity agenda in part because they’re looking for excuses to cut the public services. But there’s no contradiction. Strong public services, universally delivered, are the essence of what Labour is fighting for. Sweden provides a good example of this. It probably has the world’s most extensive welfare state – paid for by high taxes – and yet is has one of the highest rates of volunteering. According to Gwladys Fouché writing in the Guardian, around 48% of Sweden’s adult population is regularly engaged in this activity.

And the security provided by strong public services appears to give people the physical and psychological resources to help others: “The welfare state plays a very important part by giving people the practical and mental space necessary to be able to be active. It creates possibilities for citizens.” Collaboration between the voluntary and public sectors is what matters to make a better society.

All good background, I think, for Labour’s manifesto.

Tagged in Movement, Communities, Culture.