Uncharitable Thoughts

Another day, another example of the Tories' policy double-think in action.  This time we have the 'Minister for Civil Society' (no, I didn't know that was an actual ministerial brief either) telling campaigning charities that they should 'stick to their knitting' and stay out of politics.  Now, whilst that might seem like exactly the sort of thing you'd expect a Tory minister to come out with, the fact is that this government has spent the better part of the past four years trying to involve charities in politics.  An integral part of Cameron's 'Big Society' and his government's 'Austerity' programme is to cut both state spending and the size of the state to outsourcing many aspects of policy delivery to charities, particularly with regard to things like low pay, housing and unemployment.  Now, if that isn't politicising charities, I don't know what is. 

Of course, what the minister has in mind are those charities who dare to challenge government policy, particularly their policies with regard to benefits and poverty.  Whilst, arguably, charities should be politically neutral, the fact is that in certain areas of charitable activity, it is impossible for them not to touch on politics. Poverty, as previously mentioned, is one such area where this government has become highly sensitive to what it perceives as criticism of its policies by charitable organisations. However, when you are trying to alleviate poverty, identifying and eliminating its causes are going to be core activities and the fact is that, right now, this government's own policies are steadily driving down wages and living standards.  So commenting on government policy is pretty much inevitable for some charities.  In view of the minister's comments, though, perhaps they should knit their comments and criticisms in the form of an Aran jumper.  maybe that would be more acceptable for him?