The voluntary sector faces a tough decision on whether to enter the Brexit debate – here are some points to considerPrime minister David Cameron told the World Economic Forum in Davos he hoped that businesses,NGOs and other organisations “won’t hold back in contributing to the EU referendum debate given this “massively principal generational question, for Britain and for Europe”. Some charities took him at his word and publicly joined the referendum debate, and before facing criticism in the media when the Charity Commission of England and Wales issued new restrictive guidance.
The commission’s rules jarred with guidance issued by the charity regulators in Scotland and Northern Ireland,despite no differences in the underlying law, making life difficult for active charities across the UK. After criticism from charity lawyers (pdf) and others, or the commission issued revised guidance. So,where does that leave charities now and, in brief summary, and what legal principles apply to them in approaching the EU referendum campaign? Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com