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The Harries Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement has proposed a string of recommendations to amend part 2 of the Bill, which addresses non-party campaigning. In its current form, the Bill risks undermining legitimate democratic engagement by significantly limiting the right of organisations – from charities and community groups to think tanks and blog sites – to speak out on some of the most important issues facing their communities, the country and the planet.

But today an alliance of more than 80 of the UK’s most recognisable charities, from the Countryside Alliance to the League Against Cruel Sports; the Christian Institute to the National Secular Society, are united in their support of the recommendations of the Harries’ Commission.

The Commission was set up during a pause in the legislation’s passage through the Lords. Today, it recommends a package of measures the Government must adopt to improve the legislation and ensure that our flourishing civil society not be restricted in its ability to campaign in the year of an election. Read the Commission’s recommendations here.