Charity leaders explore opportunities of working with a new government

More than 70 guests were in attendance as an expert panel examined the ways in which charitable and lobbying activities could be impacted by the recent change General Election and change of government.

As Sir Keir Starmer approaches 100 days in office, the event offered the chance for charity leaders to consider differences in mindset and working relationships under his predecessors’ leadership. It was hosted by Alex Skailes, Director of the Centre for Charity Effectiveness, with the panel chaired by Paul Streets, Honorary Visiting Professor at Bayes Business School.

Panellists included Beatrice Stern, Government Affairs Lead, NCVO, Clarissa Stoneham, Deputy CEO, EACH Consulting and Support, and Shameem Ahmad, CEO, Public Law Project.

Overarching themes of the discussion centred on high hopes for more “sympathetic” dialogue with the new Labour administration that had “lived experience”, tempered by caution over early moves to cut back on pensioners’ winter fuel allowance and difficulties that might lie ahead. Panellists agreed that, in principle, a Labour government shared an increased number of ideological similarities, but would need to be held accountable if its action did not meet their promise.

While the panel were in agreement about the need for patience after fewer than 100 days, early signals such as Labour’s two child policy and its narrative on migration suggested there was work to be done to reframe the debate and provide better context for advocacy.

Panellists emphasised the importance to the sector of maintaining its values when entering partnerships, with “influence not income” an important mantra, amid tensions in being an organisation that sought to raise money through government and to advocate.

Charities, they claimed, needed to be able to speak to government in constructive ways that would speak to the rest of the sector, about infrastructure and stakeholder engagement.

The event was the second in the Perspectives on Leadership, Sector and State series hosted by Bayes, as part of the Centre for Charity Effectiveness’s 20^th anniversary year.

Paul Streets said the discussion offered valuable lessons for forcing home messages to newly elected officials.

“A new government after 14 years offers fresh opportunities but also challenges to the not-for-profit sector,” he said.

“Political history tells us Labour should be more understanding of the needs of charities and the social policy issues they may be advocating. However, early sounds about the state of the UK economy and the swift action the government have taken to remove winter fuel payments from many thousands of elderly people shows charities could still face a tough fight to keep non-profit causes at the forefront of decision-makers’ hearts and minds.

“The session provided an enriching insight into the thoughts of many from within the sector, both on the panel and in the audience. It highlighted undoubted potential for a new working relationship with central and devolved governments after long periods of difficulty, but at the same time an acknowledgement of the challenges of priorities and funding that the voluntary sector continues to face.”

Find out more about upcoming events from the Centre for Charity Effectiveness.