Labour leader and former charities minister Ed Miliband has spoken out against the lobbying bill today ahead of its second reading in the Commons, saying that it threatens to “impose a gag on charities”.

And Graham Allen, chair of the select committee examining the bill, has said the legislation should be put on hold until next year so it can be redrafted by a special committee.

As Parliament prepared to debate the controversial bill in the Commons this afternoon, various voices were lining up to put pressure on the government.

The Labour leader was one of many voices who took to Twitter to air their concerns:

 

 

 

Acevo also used the opportunity to release results from a poll which found that the public trust charities much more than professional lobbyists when it comes to influencing members of the government.

Only 8 per cent of the 1,660 people surveyed by YouGov favoured lobbying consultants when answering the question “To what extent, if at all, do you trust the following organisations to use this influence over government policy for the benefit of society?”

Seventy-one per cent did not trust lobbyists, and 20 per cent had no opinion.

In contrast, civil society organisations came out on top, with 49 per cent of people saying they trusted charities to influence government, with 33 per cent against and 19 per cent unsure.

Those polled also believe that lobbyists, trade unions and the private sector wield much more influence over the government than charities: 66 per cent said that charities have no influence at all, and 19 thought they have a "fair amount".

Speaking on the findings of the poll, Sir Stephen Bubb, CEO of Acevo, said: “There is a fundamental difference between charities campaigning to improve government policy for public benefit, and lobbyists advancing their own interests or those of a paying client.

“This bill needs to tackle the real problem - lobbying - and shouldn't stifle legitimate charity campaigning which strengthens democracy, not undermines it. It does little to limit lobbyists and instead restricts the involvement of the third sector in advocacy and campaigning.”

Sir Stephen recently wrote to Andrew Lansley MP to express his concern that the bill will restrict charities’ ability to advocate and campaign on behalf of those they represent during election campaigns.

NCVO has also been vocal with its apprehension about the lobbying bill, including writing to Cabinet Office minister Chloë Smith in protest and consulting an election law QC for opinion on how the bill could restrict charities’ campaigning rights.

The umbrella group has now compiled all its resources on the topic into one blog.