John Downie believes the third sector needs to save its energy for the fight ahead rather than waste time on the general election campaign

Ideas for a better world don’t matter in an election on Brexit

In a rousing call to arms last week, Graham Martin from Third Force News urged the third sector to mobilise and use the general election to expound ideas for a better world.

He was expecting a deluge of reaction from Scotland’s charities. Guess what? It didn’t happen.

Why bother? Campaigning is all about influencing change, so why waste time and effort on an election that you cannot possibly hope to influence.

John Downie

I wasn't surprised. People are suffering from election fatigue. After all, this will be seventh time in just three years that Scots have been called to polling booth.

For those who still have the energy for such things, there are other reasons to be reticent.

This will not be an election where we hear serious debate about the future direction of our country, let alone ideas for a better world.

Instead, it’ll be Brexit re-run – hard or soft, sweet or sour, take your pick – mashed with a potential Indyref2.

The Prime Minister has been clear that the poll is about securing a mandate for her vision of Brexit and nothing else.

We won’t get to discuss how savage welfare cuts are destroying lives, share ideas on a progressive approach to tax – as if. It’s about the Tories winning the election – whatever the promises, whatever the cost.

It didn't take long for the Chancellor Philip Hammond to backtrack on his budget tax increases for the self-employed. So do you really think the next conservative government can be trusted with issues like the state pension triple-lock guarantee?

Like Graham, some other third sector intermediary organisations have urged our sector to campaign boldly.

My reaction to this is – and I’m trying to put this as politely as possible – why bother? Campaigning is all about influencing change, so why waste time and effort on an election that you cannot possibly hope to influence.

With manifestos unlikely to be published until late into the campaign, it’s clear that the policy areas which affect our day-to-day lives will be relegated to the back seat.

And frankly, after the last few years of broken manifesto promises why should we trust them anyway? They’re not worth the paper they’re written on.

If you want to make the voice of your organisation heard, my advice is to frame your arguments around Brexit. That’s what this election is about, and that’s what the aftermath will be about too.

The third sector in Scotland has repeatedly outlined the implications of leaving the EU and its institutions, particularly for funding, migration, the economy, human rights and our environment. These are the issues that we need to form our battle lines around.

My conclusion: campaigning in this election will be pointless. Instead, save your effort and resources for the fight ahead.

John Downie is director of public affairs at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations