You might have heard about the “gagging law” currently being voted on by
MPs. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s really bad news. If it goes through, it
will have a chilling effect on British democracy and on our right to speak up on
the issues that matter to us.
Basically, the law slashes the spending
limits on campaigning for the year before any election. Campaigns that have
impact don’t cost the earth, but they aren't free.
Community groups,
charities and campaigning organisations would all be hit. Election time is when
ordinary people have the most influence on our politicians. On the big issues of
the day – whether or not to go to war, the future of our NHS, the environment,
welfare, immigration, etc. – we'd all be gagged.
The problem is that this
law has come out of nowhere and not many people have heard what’s going on. If
we’re going to defeat it, we need to get the word out further. If every single
person who’s ever joined a local campaign group or taken action with their
favourite charity knew that they could be stopped from doing that again, the
outcry could explode.
Here’s a simple five minute video you can watch for
more information. Can you take a look, and then help get the word out by passing
it on to your friends and family?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/gagging-law-video
