Charities are being urged to continue campaigning ahead of 4 July’s general election, which was announced this week by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Campaigning around political issues that benefit their mission and communities is still allowed by law, as long as charities adhere to campaigning rules overseen by the Charity Commission and Electoral Commission.

The Charity Commission has sought to reassure charities of their right to continue campaigning on issues that support their mission.

This has been clarified in its political activity guidance for charities guidance, known as CC9, as well as its 5-minute-guide to campaigning.

This outlines that charities must not support or oppose a political party or candidate, or donate funds to political parties.

Charities can invite candidates and party representatives to campaign events but the Charity Commission advises inviting representatives from “as wide a political spectrum as possible”.

Earlier this week the regulator’s chair Orlando Fraser reiterated this stance.

“Charity campaigning plays an important role in society and the law is clear about the right of charities to campaign in support of their purposes,” he said in a blog post.

“However, in order to maintain public confidence in your political campaigning, and trust in charities more broadly, it is crucial that you campaign in a way that is consistent with the legal framework.”

He added: “Charities may give support to or raise concerns about specific policies advocated by political parties but as trustees and leaders of charities, you have an important responsibility to ensure that everything you do, and every decision you make, helps you further your charity’s purposes and is in the best interests of your charity.

“Charities are required to be independent and cannot have political purposes, and this is important for public trust in charities.

“As such, charities must never stray into party politics – they must never promote, or be seen to promote, a political party or candidate.”

Electoral Commission

Electoral Commission rules also need to be adhered to for safe campaigning by charities, as it also regulates the activities of non-party campaigners, including charities.

Through this regulation charities must notify and register with the Commission once they believe their campaigning spending will exceed £10,000.

At the end of 2023 a new code of conduct for non-party campaigners came into force. This updated code highlights that the law requires an imprint to be including on digital material that is part of regulated campaign activities.

This ‘digital imprint’ tells votes who is responsible for publishing and promoting campaign material and means that social media adverts and posts could require an imprint. The Electoral Commission has produced specific guidance on digital imprints.

Among charity leaders to vow to continue campaigning during the general election is Jo Henney, chief executive of Liverpool charity Nugent.

“The upcoming general election represents a critical moment for our sector," said Henney.

"It is an opportunity for all of us to advocate for policies that promote social justice, equity, and the well-being of the most vulnerable members of our society."

For more information about campaign rules see our Charities election campaigning guide.

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