Politics affects every one of our lives. At Compassion in Politics our mission is to ensure that the needs of all, particularly those who are most vulnerable are met. That’s why we want to see compassion put at the heart of politics.
Take this week's decision on restricting the winter fuel allowance. At Compassion in Politics, we were disappointed. Not because we don’t understand economic necessity, but because it will cause stress and harm to some of the most vulnerable, elderly people in our society.
Politics is about choices, but pensioners shouldn’t have to choose between heating their homes and feeding themselves and many of them may now have to.
The same is true of the government’s decision not to lift the two-child benefit cap. This is one of the cruellest legacies of austerity and is responsible for a rise in child poverty.
For the sixth richest country in the world to have policies that will trap pensioners and families in poverty shows what happens when compassion is edged out.
At Compassion in Politics we are campaigning for a Compassion Act. This would provide a new and binding legal threshold to prevent policies being implemented that would knowingly cause harm to those in the most vulnerable circumstances.
We are not saying that the economy doesn’t need to be righted, just that in a compassionate society this should NOT be done in a way that pushes vulnerable citizens into poverty or destitution.
Over the coming months we’ll be campaigning hard with our partners to try to bring this legislation into being. We are being warned that tough times lie ahead and it's imperative that safeguards are put in place to protect the needs of those who are most vulnerable.
If you agree that we need a Compassion Act to protect the most vulnerable people in the UK, we’d be super grateful if you could consider supporting us. We rely on our supporters to fund our work, so every penny given is deeply appreciated.
Together we can make the UK more compassionate.
With thanks to you for being part of this movement,
Kind regards
Jennifer,
Compassion in Politics
PS. I’ll be at the Labour Conference in Liverpool with our Parliamentary Lead, Anya Sizer on Sunday 22nd September at 1.30pm where we’ll be joined by Kim Leadbeater MP and others to discuss our Civility in Politics campaign. Please join us in person, if you are there. Details here.