Fine political line for charities to take in election

The Charity Commission has confirmed that it has already received a number of complaints against charities' alleged involvement in party politics during the Election campaign, despite the guidance it issued before the campaign began.

This guidance has been available on the Commission's website since January 2010 and demonstrates that there is a very fine line for charities to tread between now and polling day.

While charities can campaign around a political issue, they should not be seen to be supporting any particular political party.

Richard Lupson-Darnell, manager within the charities group at Vantis, a UK accounting, tax and business recovery and advisory group, commented: "Although the complaints have to be fully investigated, one wonders if charities have taken the time to read the guidance.

"Many charitable issues are also mainstream political issues. However, a charity cannot be seen to show support, or opposition, to any politician or party. Doing so could damage the reputation of the charity."

The Charity Commission's guidance on what charities are and are not allowed to do in the period between the calling of an election and polling day, is essential reading for trustees but, many could either be unaware of their obligations, or they may simply have ignored it.

The guidance states:

A charity cannot encourage support for any political party. If a political party supports what a charity is campaigning about, the charity can continue its campaign, but must make clear its independence from the party.

Charities are free to engage directly in debate with political parties and candidates, provided this does not lead the public to associate in their minds the charity with the relevant party.

A charity can only campaign on matters within its charitable objects.

A charity cannot explicitly compare its position on a given area to the position of political parties.

Lupson-Darnell concluded: "Many charities are involved in important social issues and clearly this is a key time to influence voters. However, charities have to concentrate wholly on the issues at hand and not be drawn into party politics.

"It is a fine line and one which those who run charities need to be particularly aware of from here on in."