Political posturing by RSPB leaders will alienate its members and staff

SIR – As a long-time member of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, I applaud the work done on its reserves and particularly its protection initiatives with species such as osprey, avocet and corncrake, but I am dismayed by its ill-conceived and clumsy venture into party-political activism (“How the Left captured the RSPB”, Features, September 1).

I suspect many of its wardens and staff will be embarrassed that the society leadership now seems to have put generalised political posturing so high on its agenda.

A check on its list of current vacancies reveals that the organisation now even has a Campaigning and Mobilisation unit, which is recruiting for a head of community on £50,000 per annum and two other officers, each on £30,000 per annum.

Is this really how the RSPB should be allocating its precious resources? Jim Wright

Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire

SIR – It is clearly laid out within regulations that campaigning and political activity are legitimate and valuable activities for charities to undertake, and it is a legal requirement that political campaigning or political activity must be undertaken by a charity only in the context of supporting the delivery of its charitable purposes.

Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, claims that charities campaigning on refugee and migration issues are acting against the interests of the British public, are “masquerading as humanitarians” (report, August 24), and are part of a “multitude of forces” that wish to thwart government policy. These claims are insulting to the committed professionals and volunteers in our sector, and suggest an intention to encroach on and limit the sector’s legally defined rights and legitimate role in public discourse.

Robust public discourse is a marker of a healthy, effective and vibrant body politic, and the expertise, insight and integrity that charities bring should be valued as part of effective public policy making in a democratic society.

It is unfortunate that the Home Secretary has chosen instead to focus on a narrative that fosters a hostile climate and actively seeks to undermine public trust in charities going about their legitimate and essential business.

Jane Ide

CEO, Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations

Sarah Vibert

CEO, National Council of Volunteer Organisations