On Saturday last weekend, at 8.30am in the morning, you were probably in bed, sleeping the sleep of the just. Unless, of course, you were hoping for a lie-in while small children sat down before the high priestess of Peppa Pig.
So what better time – under cover of almost dark and Peppa Pig in full yoink – for cabinet minister Matthew Hancock to rush out an announcement that in future, any charity in receipt of public money must not use those funds to influence government or Parliament.
Cripes!
Is this the end of Shelter as we know it now?
We asked the question, but a spokesperson told us yesterday afternoon that the Shelter press office was under-resourced and under pressure, had another significant story to push out and would not be able to comment by our deadline of close of play yesterday.
All the same … watch this space.
Comments (5)
It couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch.
Oh dear
What a pity.
Never Mind.
If they want to lobby government, shouty, jumpy on a high horse and change legislation – become a self funding entity. fine.
If they want to remain a charity benefiting from public money with the aim of doing good work for the needy then work hard, be grateful & stop political lobbying. Hopefully we will see less stupid press releases from them as well blaming agents.
No doubt Shelter mean well but they have made fools or themselves time and time again. They have no idea about how estate agents or lettings agents operate or what is needed to improve the situation for homeless or low income families or renters in general.
I for one will be glad to see the back of their silly ideas. Maybe this is an ideal moment to take stock of the situation and have a clear out of “Policy makers” and look to get some people on board with experience and that are able to cultivate relationships as opposed to sounding like a student union president not getting their way and throwing the toys out the pram.
Maybe Shelter will now have to concentrate their resources/ efforts on what they should have being doing so in the first place, rather than interfering in things they obviously don’t understand,usually making things actually worse for the people they profess to be trying to help. Hey they might even do something radical and build some affordable housing in an area where it is needed!
I actually think every charity a bit irked at the proposal can look at Campbell Robb and with full justification think to themselves; “this is all your fault, you and your all too cosy relationship with Ed Milliband and your interfering, half truth, shouty ways. You’ve put personal glorification, self interest and political posturing ahead of the good work Shelter was set up to achieve. Well done you!”