Bubb warns on politicisation of civil society 1

Governance | Vibeka Mair | 24 Sep 2010

Stephen Bubb, chief executive of Acevo, has warned that the voluntary sector could be drawn into party political divisions over its role.

Bubb, was speaking at a lecture marking the tenth anniversary of his leadership at Acevo. He told an audience of Acevo members that while the current debate on the Big Society provided opportunities for charities, there was the danger that the debate could be increasingly politicised across party political lines:

“The concepts of big society should be promoted and advocated across party political lines,” he said, “And it would be unhelpful for the sector to be drawn into party political divisions on our role.”

Bubb also warned government against forgetting the importance of partnering with the charity sector “The concept of Big Society needs to breathe new life into the state-charity partnership,” he said.

And he told the voluntary sector needed to refuse to be politicised and demand an active partnership with state, which was effectively funded and promoted.

During the lecture, Bubb also delivered a message to the incoming new Labour leader on the partnership between the voluntary sector and the state: “There is a message for the next Labour leader not to fall into the same trap of forgetting that same partnership by defending the state and attacking voluntary and charity action, he said. “The role of an expanded charity sector and devolving power to citizens and communities is worthy of support.”

A new Labour leader is expected to be announced next Tuesday (28th September).

Directory: Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO)
Who's Who: Sir Stephen Bubb

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Howard Lake
Fundraising UK Ltd
24 Sep 2010

Politicisation? How about naked acquisition? Charity, social enterprise, community action and general 'doing good' has been getting along very well thank you for many years without being rebranded and given an apparent big role in a new government's policy.

"Big Society" is far more than the endless debates over whether we should call ourselves the third sector, not-for-profits or civil society. It's an attempt at acquisition, at taking credit for something that is not their due.

So Stephen is quite right to warn of the dangers of party politicisation of the charity sector.

If only the coalition government had chosen to partner on an equal basis with the charity sector, rather than telling us that we need to come into their tent to find that all along, unknown to us, we had been following their masterplan.

Why use the phrase 'Big Society'? What about the charity and third sector changed at the General Election that it required this new party political soubriquet?

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