And an end to ‘divisive’ politics
claiming a vote for the party was the only way to beat both the Conservatives and the SNP accountable, but a series of charities have condemned the legislation, claiming it is having a “chilling effect” on free speech.
While the SNP manifesto will only call for certain sections of the act to be removed, Labour has promised to repeal the legislation entirely if it wins next month’s election.
“Lobbying of government is an issue that the SNP takes very seriously – and it is only right that we have protections in place that prevent people from being able to buy access to power, and from being able to buy policies that line their pockets,” said SNP depute leader Angus Robertson.
“However, under the Tories, we have seen legitimate campaigning by charities and third sector organisations curtailed, with groups being gagged and facing restrictions on their ability to inform and promote policies that can make a real difference to those they campaign for.
“The SNP will always stand up for the rights of charities to lobby government – and we will work in this parliament to end the restrictions that the Tories have used to gag campaigning organisations.”
Under the act, charities can be prosecuted by the Electoral Commission if they spend more than £9,750 in a constituency – including staff time – promoting a message which could be interpreted as political.
Critics say the wording is too vague and claim the act makes it almost impossible for charities to campaign on an issue of joint interest, such as global poverty or climate change.
In March last year a government-commissioned review called for the act to be reformed.
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, the umbrella body for the nation’s charities, welcomed the SNP’S commitment and said the act was “bad legislation”.
“We would support any proposal to overturn this legislation so that the voices of those working in Scotland’s third sector can be heard,” said John Downie, its director of public affairs. BAD DAY Former SNP Joanna Cherry, fighting to retain her seat of Edinburgh Southwest, apologised to a nurse challenging Nicola Sturgeon on TV after implying she was married to a Tory councillor.