Dear Jackie Doyle-Price MP,
I am writing to you to ask you to oppose the Gagging Bill
for the following reasons:
It is stated that it is to stop "big money"
from influencing the outcome of elections.
This is nonsense because the way "big money" influences
elections is through massive donations to parties - this doesn’t tackle that!
Instead it targets charities, community groups and campaigners.
You may argue that civil society should not get involved
in party politics but important issues which ordinary people care about, like
trying to protect the NHS, will be a key election issue for most of the
political parties. The gagging law would apply to campaigning on most issues
that are being contested by different political parties - i.e. any big issue of
the day! For example, if one political party made privatising NHS services a
key part of its manifesto, then any campaign against privatising the NHS would
be considered ‘for election purposes’ and be subject to the gagging law.
The proposed limit of £390,000 is just 2% of what
political parties are allowed to spend. And includes core staff costs -
something political parties aren’t expected to do. This is totally unfair.
Despite assertions to the contrary, a wide range of
organisations including NCVO, Oxfam, Christian Aid, Countryside Alliance and
Friends of the Earth are still against it even after concessions have been
promised.
I believe that the Gagging Bill is being proposed to
restrict the freedom of speech of campaigners, charities and community groups
who may disagree with policies being brought in by this Government. If this is the case, it is an unjust and unlawful
piece of legislation that should be opposed and, as my representative in
Parliament, I wish you to oppose it.
As always, I look forward to your prompt reply.
Yours sincerely,
Myles Cook
The letter does seem to be a little more formal than usual but that's because it's been partially pre-generated by the 38 Degrees website.
As always, I will post any reply I get right here on this blog.
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