The new draft follows the Strategy Unit's report Private Action, Public Benefit, which recommended a more flexible approach to allowing charities to campaign, and it replaces previous guidance on the issue which has come to be seen as too cautionary.

The new document places greater emphasis on the activities charities can undertake, clarifies the legal framework and contains a new section on the risks that trustees should take into account when considering whether to engage in political activity.

Launching the consultation at the Charity Fair in London today, commission head of regulatory policy Caroline Cooke, said: "Our revised guidance focuses on the positives, and we hope that it will encourage and support trustees in reaching their own decisions about what's right for their charity.

"The new approach of this draft guidance places trustees firmly in the driving seat when it comes to deciding whether, and how, to carry out campaigning activity."

The commission is careful to stress, however, that the new draft does not amount to a change in that law. "The draft guidance has been written with existing charities in mind. The legal underpinning for it has not changed, and it does not offer guidance on issues related to charitable status," the consultation reads. Groups such as Amnesty, whose campaigning work prevents it from being able to register, will be hoping that the forthcoming draft charities bill offers greater flexibility.

The consultation runs until July 30. Full details are available from the commission's website: www.charitycommission.gov.uk