Lobbying Act impact is not good for democracy

Commenting on a new report from the independent Harries Commission on the impact of the Lobbying Act, Simon Barrow, co-director of the politics and beliefs think-tank Ekklesia, said:

" Like many others who care about freedom of expression, we are concerned about the findings of this first report on the impact of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014.

"Charities, NGOs, faith and belief groups, and non-party campaigns should not be silenced on public issues at a time when large companies, like Boots, are engaged in highly publicised party-political campaigning.

"As well as hearing the views of political parties in the run-up to an election, the public should also have the right to hear the views of advocacy, charitable, policy and research organisations on the issues that they are engaged in.

"The impact of this Act so far does not appear to be good for democracy."

* Charities and NGOs inquiry says Lobbying Act impact is 'chilling': http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/21407

* Impact of the Lobbying Act on civil society and democratic engagement (via Ekklesia): http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/21383

* More on the Lobbying Bill (now Act) from Ekklesia: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/lobbyingbill