Charity Politics and Think Tank Transparency

Episode 30! That’s over 15 hours of Debra and Peter unpacking complex ideas and challenging assumptions!This week, Debra and Peter dive into some of the most complex issues in the charity sector. First up: political activity. Why are charities legally restricted from engaging in political campaigning, while businesses are free to openly support parties and candidates? They talk about the implications of this regulatory double standard and ask whether it's time for a serious rethink.Then, the spotlight turns to think tanks. Debra and Peter discuss the controversy surrounding the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and question what qualifies an organisation to claim charitable status. From opaque funding sources to ideological influence, they explore what real transparency should look like—and whether certain groups may be stretching the definition of 'education' just a bit too far.Are these just isolated cases, or signs of deeper cracks in the sector’s regulatory foundation? Tune in for a lively, thoughtful discussion—and don’t forget to join the debate. Comment below or email us with your thoughts!YouTube Subscribe: YouTube.com/@DSCOnlineMore Debra Allcock TylerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/ More Peter WanlessLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sir-peter-wanless-b43aa372/Produced by: Directory of Social Change https://www.dsc.org.ukPodcast Producer: José Blázquez