'Chilling' Lobbying Act stifles democracy, charities tell party chiefs

More than 50 charities say they have changed key messages during election campaign due to 'unreasonable and unfair' restrictions

Charities have been forced to change their key messages to the public during the general election because of the "chilling" effect of the controversial Lobbying Act, a group of leading UK organisations has warned.

Democratic debate on some of the biggest issues in the election campaign has been stifled by the law, a group of more than 50 charities writes in a letter sent to the main party leaders.