We’re building a replacement for the disastrous Gagging Law

As part of Labour’s commitment to repeal the Government’s Lobbying Act, today I launched a wide-ranging review looking at the laws for campaigners and charities. Led by Baroness Maeve Sherlock, the review will consult widely with charities and campaign groups on what future regulation should look like.

Single-issue campaigning and pressure groups have become increasingly prominent in our political debate. Britain has become more diverse and mobile, and with technological advancements, it’s never been so easy to spread ideas, join debates and sign petitions. In the 21^st century, people can support campaigns as they wish, when they wish and in any way they wish.

This phenomenon raises a new challenge for political parties. Ed Miliband has already begun to address this, with far-reaching Party reforms announced earlier this year. The Conservatives’ membership dwindles at around 100,000, whilst over 160,000 people signed a petition to repeal the Lobbying Act earlier this year.

At the same time, it raises issues for Government about how to regulate the vast array of charities, campaigning organisations and civil society.

The Coalition’s approach was a disaster from the start. If there is a case study in how not to create legislation, the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Unions Administration Act would be it. Described as a ‘dog’s breakfast’ by the Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee, it managed to unite the Taxpayers’ Alliance and Friends of the Earth in opposition.It soon became known as the ‘Gagging Bill’ – creating burdensome regulation for small charities and campaigning groups. The Act makes it almost impossible for some campaigners to operate without breaking the law. The Act stifles free speech and open democratic debate.

The premise of Part 2 of the Act was that campaigners and charities were a mischief to be solved. There was a distasteful underlying suspicion and mistrust from the Coalition towards the millions of people who petition and campaign on issues that matter to them.

Labour will undertake the full and comprehensive consultation the Government failed to do. I am delighted that Baroness Maeve Sherlock has agreed to lead this review for the Party. Maeve has a wealth of experience in the third-sector, as a former Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, the National Council for One Parent Families, and President of the National Union of Students.

Our consultation will look at how to keep the big money out of politics, and ensure that charities and third-party campaign groups act fairly and with transparency.

But more than that, Labour wants to help charities and campaigners flourish. Baroness Sherlock will also look at whether regulation is needed to offer further protection of civil society’s freedom of speech. Labour wants a healthy and thriving civil society, with campaigns able to stand up to vested interests. We want these organisations to play their part in our democratic debate and building a regulatory framework which encourages this.

I look forward to meeting with and discussing these issues with organisations across the country, as Labour begins building a sensible replacement to the Government’s disastrous Act.

Stephen Twigg is MP for Liverpool West Derby and is Shadow Minister for Constitutional Reform