Silencing the third sector

The message being sent to the sector is clear – your function is helping to pick people up, but don’t ask why they’re falling over and don’t try to do anything to prevent it. The latest attack is not a new one and comes from the free marketeers at the Institute of Economic Affairs. Hilariously, they’ve titled it ‘The Sock Doctrine’ –who says neoliberals don’t have a sense of humour! Their contention is that charities who receive funding from the state should not be allowed to engage in political activity – which includes commenting on legislation and regulation. Naturally, as they are the IEA, they have little to say about state funded private sector lobbying and the massive subsidies, grants and dispensations the private sector receive. If everyone who received money or support from the government was barred from political activity, the halls of our parliaments would be empty and politicians wouldn’t be able to talk to anyone. Curiously they are also fine with ‘privately’ funded charities lobbying the government – so a wealthy philanthropist’s priorities are a valid input to the political process but because an organisation receives some funding from the government, their member’s views are not. Part of the core contribution SCVO receives from the Scottish Government is for policy work that brings together the interests of the third sector. A quick glance at our policy responses and media work would leave little doubt about our ability to be critical of the government. Sadly the IEA are not alone in their antiquated view that charities are there to provide services while keeping their mouths shut. The UK Lobbying Act has thrown up similar views from a number of MPs and Lords. Add to these the implications of the Act itself and the media pieces on executive pay and it looks like a concerted effort to tarnish the reputation of the sector in the eyes of the public and put us in our place.

Our voice is strong and it represents people whose views are challenging to government policy.

The irony is that it is precisely because of our successful campaigning work, that governments and others feel threatened by the sector. Our voice is strong and it represents people whose views are challenging to government policy. Third sector campaigning shines a light on the needs and aspirations of people and communities that are often neglected or ignored so we must continue to fight for their views to be heard. So where does this leave the sector and what can we do to defend the space we have from these attacks? One thing we could do is be more active in countering these arguments before they arise. Ask the difficult questions of ourselves and ensure we have good answers when new attacks arise. The latest report on the independence of the voluntary sector offers a more nuanced view without shying away from the risks and challenges for the sector. Do we need something specific to Scotland which counters arguments, defends the space in which the sector operates and looks to enhance the ability of the sector to participate in political processes? [info-box penguin='https://cms.scvo.org/wp-content/gallery/info-box-penguins/faq-woman-lightbulb-news-2.png' penguinposition='left' penguinheight='140' cornerclass='sborderc' cornercolour='' columns='1' columnwidth='280' fontsize='14' padding='10'] Read our briefing on Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act. [/info-box]