“That’s almost bullying, to be honest”: the nature of charity campaigning in the new Parliament
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Ten months after an election that led to a new Government and a third of newly elected MPs at Westminster, knowing how best to engage with MPs remains unclear. The picture is complicated further by the wider context of funding cuts, bringing both added impetus for campaigning and making campaigning more difficult, along with uncertainty about what the ‘big society’ might mean for campaigning. As we shall see, questions have been raised about the very legitimacy of charities campaigning, as opposed to delivering services.
What place for the public in political campaigning for charities?
The Charity Commission defines campaigning in two ways: firstly, raising public awareness of a particular issue and influencing public opinion; secondly, political activity to influence government policy or legislation. Here we focus on the second kind of campaigning, and the question of involving the public for the purpose of influencing policy or legislation. Of course, it’s important to note that these two kinds of campaigning are by no means mutually exclusive, and often run hand in hand.
Charities now drive moral agenda, research shows
- Bullying, discrimination and buying the fruits of child labour: amongst activities that society adjudges most immoral
- Cohabitation and sex before marriage: amongst least unethical activities, say public
- “Charities working at front line of moral relevancy, tackling what public deem to be our ‘modern-day sins’”, claims Saxton
Charities and campaigners are tackling the activities society most deems unethical, whilst issues still vexing many religions have less moral relevancy - according to new data
A lack of big brand campaigns opens up opportunities for smaller charities campaigning at Westminster
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At a time when preoccupied MPs are making the headlines for all the wrong reasons, and when charity budgets are constantly under threat, what hope do charities have of getting MPs’ attention? At first impression, the answer seems gloomy.
3 in 4 MPs think charities campaign better than companies
- MPs love charitable constituency focus, face-to-face briefings - and media opportunities!
- MPs hate mass mailings - or being bored!
- “Be more targeted and personal,” think tank advises
Three quarters (76%) of all MPs agree agree that “in general, charities are more effective at campaigning amongst MPs than companies”; a quarter (24%) agreeing “strongly” - according to figures out today (see attached summary slide
Less Equal than Others; Ethnic minorities and the criminal justice system
This is an external report from Clinks, a registered charity.
Unlocking potential; How offenders, former offenders and their families can contribute to a more effective Criminal Justice System
The Clinks Taskforce was set up to identify ways in which offenders, former offenders and their families can make a positive contribution to the policies, services and practices that affect them, both in prison and the community. It was formed in part because of recognition that in other fields of work, services are known to be more effective when users are consulted about how they should be developed and delivered.
Getting the Message Across
Not for profit think-tank nfpSynergy has teamed up with The ImpACT Coalition to produce a free, short, practical report and guide that will empower charities to formulate and communicate simple messages, including pithy pub facts, needed to dispel a range of debilitating misperceptions their stakeholders may have, both about themselves and the wider third sector.