A group of civil society organisations working to address concerns on the lobbying bill has said it is disappointed that Deputy Leader of the House Tom Brake was prevented by Leader of the House Andrew Lansley from giving evidence for its new report.
The Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement, chaired by Lord Harries of Pentregrath, has published its final report on the lobbying bill, which will be presented to peers in the House of Lords today, one week before the controversial bill returns to the floor of the Lords for committee stage.
The report notes disappointment that an early agreement from government to give evidence was withdrawn by Deputy Leader of the House Tom Brake. The Commission on Civil Society’s website says Brake was withdrawn from giving evidence by Leader of the House Andrew Lansley.
Angela Eagle, Shadow Leader of the House, Graham Allen, chair of the political and constitutional select committee, and Hywel Francis MP, chair of the joint committee on human rights gave evidence earlier this month.
The report has been written in three weeks, after a country-wide consultation, and reiterates a number of concerns that civil society groups have been expressing during the bill's passage through parliament.
The Commission calls for a pause to Part 2 of the bill, which charities and other civil society groups fear will curtail their campaigning during election times, to allow time for consultation and consideration.
If government does not agree to the pause, the report urges peers to consider recommendations in the report in tabling and supporting amendments to the bill at committee and report stage to “avert harm to civil society engagement in democratic process”.
Its recommendations include withdrawing proposals in the bill for a new constituency spending cap until proper consultation and consideration is taken as to whether one is needed, and the retention of current spending thresholds for campaigning during election times until proper consultation is undertaken.
Sir Stephen Bubb, chief executive of Acevo, which is part of the Commission, said: “The report nails once and for all the government’s claim that the lobbying bill was fit for purpose. It clearly identifies the Bill’s weaknesses, and proposes constructive ways forward that I urge all peers to consider when the bill is debated again next week. With input from dozens of NGOs, politicians from across all parties, and the Electoral Commission – to name but a few – it will be difficult for anyone to ignore.
“Acevo calls for the government to enact the recommendations of the report. If they are determined to legislate before May 2014, they still have plenty of time to consult more widely and redraft the bill.”
For more details on the Commission click here.
