More sabotage of Lib Dem election posters
By mwingereza | Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 00:28
This story follows on from the theft of Lib Dem stake boards in Olveston and similar thefts elsewhere in South Gloucestershire. In Thornbury two “Win With Webb” placards had been displayed prominently, at the entrance to a certain performance arts complex in Bristol Road, since 21 April, at the very latest. This morning, Monday 26 April, at approximately 11:30, remnants of the placard, which had been to the right of the entrance, were seen in shreds on the pavement. The placard on the left had a large chunk missing from below.
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Left side of entrance (Wed 21/04/10)
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Left side of entrance (Mon 26/04/10)
By 14:30 there were two replacement placards, placed at either side of the entrance, but much higher up.
Very quick and effective action indeed, but should a charity (reg. no. 292923) be supporting a political party? I’ve already said my bit about politics and religion, so I’ll say no more, other than you can find the answer to that question at the website of the Charity Commission.
Read Clause E1 on this page:-
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/cc9.aspx?#11
and the section headed “Candidates” on this other page:-
I didn’t do the damage, by the way … just in case you were wondering.
Comments
Before 1 May 2010, the LibDem placards had been removed from outside the entrance to the Caedmon Complex.
In response to a complaint made to it, the Charity Commission reported as follows: "We note that you have concerns that the charity is supporting the local Liberal Democrat candidate and displaying placards at the charity's premises.
We have engaged with the charity regarding this matter. We have received confirmation that promotional material in support of the Liberal Democrats, which was displayed at the charity's premises for a few days, was removed following a complaint received by the charity. We were informed that the trustees considered the Commission's published guidance on campaigning and political activities following the complaint, and then acted upon this guidance by removing the promotional material.
We have given advice and guidance, and received confirmation that the trustees understand and will adhere to our guidance regarding campaigning and political activities in future.
On the basis of this, we are satisfied that our case into this matter can now be closed."
Yes, I shopped them, but on the basis of the Charity Commission response, someone else also complained to ngm - I suspect a local representative of the Conservatives.
Regardless of the relative merits of whistle blowing, the following two points will always have relevance:-
(1) The Trustees should be aware of all legislation affecting charities;
(2) It is common sense that a charity should not take sides politically.
I suggest that the local, over-dominant, evangelical Christian clique overstepped themselves, on this occasion.
By mwingereza at 23:35 on 07/05/10
ReportThis reminds me of the vandalism of a number of Conservative posters and placards during the last general election. However, the key difference is that the candidate came out publicly and said how disappointed he was to hear that this was being done (As did the other candidates), whereas I've heard nothing from the Lib Dems about these more recent events - hopefully it is because this case was just a one off.
By jmitchell27 at 16:38 on 27/04/10
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