Charity Commission chair and former Conservative Party general election candidate Orlando Fraser has criticised “the aggression” of party politics and urged charities to continue their involvement in political activity by “shining a light on uncomfortable truths”.

Fraser, who stood as a Tory candidate in the 2005 general election, said charities can be an inspiration within political debates.

"Charities can model a better kind of public discourse than the aggression we sometimes sadly see from the party-political debate,” said Fraser.

“They can help teach others how to inspire and inform, rather than stifle and poison, reasoned debate."

He added that charity law “is clear that charities are free to campaign and engage in political activity” and urged them to continue "shining a light on uncomfortable truths, engaging with those in power in the interests of the people and causes they serve".

The tone of his speech contrasts markedly with comments from his predecessor Baroness Stowell as well as previous Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden in recent years.

In February 2021 Stowell, who is a former Conservative minister, warned charities against becoming involved in political discussions. This follows comments she made in 2020 urging charities to “leave party politics” and “culture wars” out of their work.

In September last year Dowden criticised charities that sought to address links in their past with slavery and racism. He said that the charity sector had been “hijacked by a vocal minority seeking to burnish their woke credentials”.

Fraser was delivering his views on charities involvement in politics during a speech at the Commission’s annual public meeting, which took place in Cardiff.

“We live in times of significant challenge, and indeed turmoil, and we can expect that political debates will come into all of our lives in the months and years ahead,” he said.

“We should expect vigorous exchanges about what is needed from government at this time. I fully expect charities to be part of this conversation.

“Charities give voice to those who go unheard, whose stories might otherwise never be told.

“And the sector has a long, proud history of pushing for meaningful change that improves the lives of their beneficiaries, and makes society fairer, and kinder.”

However, he warned charities to “never stray into party politics” and ensure they “never promote or be seen to promote, a political party or candidate”.

The Charity Commission has published an online guide, rounding up current regulation around charity involvement in political activity.

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