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Very Short notice meeting with local MP today 38 Degrees and Gagging Law

AliAli
edited September 2013 in Local discussion
<STRONG>In a few hours' time, 38 Degrees members in Hornsey and Wood Green are getting together to talk to your MP, Lynne Featherstone, about the government’s controversial gagging law. We know this is really short notice, but we only just found out ourselves. Sorry about that. Can you join in?<BR><BR></STRONG>MPs vote again on the gagging law next week. <STRONG id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378468685921_6998>We know from previous campaigns that face to face visits to MPs can make all the difference.</STRONG> So let's use the next few days to make sure MPs across the country have been visited by groups of their voters - all telling them to stand up for democracy. Lynne Featherstone needs to hear from you!<BR><BR><STRONG id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378468685921_6999>The meeting is today, Friday 6th September, between 14.20 and 14.30. It takes place at Hornsey Library, Haringey Park, London, N8 9JA.</STRONG>

Comments

  • <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16250><SPAN id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16249 style="COLOR: black">Good Afternoon,</SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16247><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> </SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">There have been some important developments with the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill over the past few days.</SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16245><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> </SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16243><SPAN id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16242 style="COLOR: black">It is not, and has never been, the intention of this Bill to restrict the abilities of charities to campaign to change government policy or on other issues they feel strongly about. The Bill would not have my support if this were the case.</SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16240><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> </SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16238 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16252 style="COLOR: black">The</SPAN><SPAN id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16237 style="COLOR: black"> Bill intends to regulate lobbyists and prevent them having undue influence. But it needs some improvement and clarity. There is clearly huge strength of feeling on this issue in both the charity sector and Parliament – and the</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">s</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black">e are concerns which must be listened to. </SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> </SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16256><B id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16255><SPAN id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16254 style="COLOR: black">Liberal Democrats in Government will therefore see some changes made to address </SPAN></B><B><SPAN style="COLOR: black">the concerns raised by our constituents and charities. My Lib Dem colleague, John Thurso MP, has tabled an amendment to clarify that the Bill will in no way stop charities doing their</SPAN></B><B><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> normal campaigning. </SPAN></B></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> </SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16233><SPAN id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16235 style="COLOR: black">The Bill will now be changed to go back to using the well-established definitions from the 2000 legislation as to what counts as campaigning activity. The Government understands the principle behind this amendment and the Bill will come back with changes to reflect this. <BR><BR>The Cabinet Office ministers are also in discussions with the National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and others over the Bill - which will lead to changes as to how expenditure is defined. The Chief Executive of the NCVO has welcomed this announcement and has pledged to work alongside the Government, MPs, select committees and others to deliver these changes.</SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16085><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> </SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16259><SPAN id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16258 style="COLOR: black">Please rest assured that I will keep you updated on any further developments with the Bill.</SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16261><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> </SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16265><B id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16264><SPAN id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16263 style="COLOR: black">Kind regards,</SPAN></B><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> </SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16267><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> </SPAN></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16269><B><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> </SPAN></B></P> <P class=yiv193713198MsoNormal id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16273><B id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16272><SPAN id=yui_3_7_2_1_1378800344103_16271 style="COLOR: black">Lynne Featherstone</SPAN></B></P>
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