Does the proliferation of such movements and groups demonstrate the rude good health of our democracy? Or does it make it harder for politicians, trying to manage the competing demands of noisy pressure groups, to govern in the interests of the country as a whole?
Matthew Taylor, former Head of Strategy at Number 10 Downing Street gives and insider’s take on how our leaders sometimes use campaigning charities to get the government’s message across. And Adam Sampson, Chief Executive of Shelter, talks candidly about the dangers of oversimplying complex issues to maximise media attention.
They are joined by chef and author Allegra McEvedy who admits that her decision to support the Fairtrade Foundation was prompted by self-interest as well as altruism.
In next week’s Beyond Westminster Elinor Goodman asks: with the economy heading into the red, is it a good or bad time for the "green movement"?
