Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead has claimed that respected city charities could have their voices gagged by the Tory-led government’s Lobbying Bill, with potentially damaging consequences for people in Southampton.

He says the bill, if passed, could make it much more difficult for small charities and local organisations to “hold the Tories and Lib Dems to account for their record in government, to campaign against their destructive policies and to highlight how these policies have a damaging effect on people in Southampton”.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s debate in Parliament, he said: “This bill would discourage and restrict those who are already working hard to improve their communities. David Cameron came into Government claiming to be passionate about building the ‘Big Society’ but the truth is that this bill would help destroy what the Prime Minister claims to want to encourage.

“This bill amounts to a gag on charities and campaigners and is a desperate attempt by the government to prevent their record and policies from being criticised and scrutinised at a local level. That is why I will be voting against this bill today in Parliament”.

Pic: Ann MacGillivray