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Compassion in Politics

= Compassion in Politics = Compassion in Politics

Compassion in Politics (CiP), is a cross-party organisation which aims to put compassion, empathy, and cooperation at the heart of the British political system. The campaign brings together academics, activists, and parliamentarians who believe that a more compassionate politics could be transformational and who want to work together to deliver a programme of policies built on compassion.

= History = The campaign launched in October 2018 with a conference in Oxford opened by Lord Alf Dubs and featuring a range of speakers including Prof Danny Dorling, Dr Ala Sirriyeh, Mayor Magid Magid, Marina Cantacuzino, and Prof Paul Gilbert. It was founded by the author, barrister, and activist Jennifer Nadel and the campaigner Matt Hawkins.

= Background = Through research in the fields of psychology, social science, and politics the idea of putting compassion at the heart of the political system has gained traction in recent years. The former prime minister David Cameron called for a “compassionate Conservatism” and the current Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has often said we need a “kinder politics”. The 2014 book “The Politics of Compassion” by Frost and Ure was the first to look at what a political philosophy of compassion might look like. Meanwhile a range of organisations including the Carnegie UK Trust, Compass, Jo Cox Foundation, and More United have initiated political projects which have compassion and kindness as their prime motivation. The report of the UN Special Rapporteur into extreme poverty in Britain also argued that “British compassion for those who are suffering has been replaced by a punitive, mean-spirited and callous approach” which needs to be overturned.

= Support = The campaign is supported by parliamentarians from six different parties and from the Independent Group including the MPs Caroline Lucas, Jo Swinson, Thangam Debbonaire, Tommy Shepherd, Liz Saville Roberts, Heidi Allen, and Tracey Crouch. It is also backed by academics including Bill McKibben and Noam Chomsky, and by activists such as Ruby Wax, Cerys Matthews, and Helen Pankhurst. It is partnered with a number of organisations: Show Racism the Red Card, Action for Happiness, Academics Stand Against Poverty, Generation Rent, Safe Passage, and Charter for Compassion.

= People = The campaign was founded by the author, barrister, and activist Jennifer Nadel and the campaigner Matt Hawkins. The two remain responsible for day-to-day operations of the campaign. The campaign steering group is formed of:


 * Professor Paul Gilbert, University of Derby and author on compassion
 * Marina Cantacuzino, founder of the Forgiveness Project
 * Rebecca Sharkey, Director of Campaigns, Pen International
 * Dr Shola Mos Shogbamimu, New York attorney
 * Olivia Buckland, film-maker and campaigner

= Impact = The campaign has so far received widespread media coverage for it’s idea of making compassion the bedrock of British politics. This has included pieces on Radio 4’s Today programme and Westminster Hour, Sky News, BBC Scotland, and 5Live, and coverage in the Guardian, Metro, i, Independent, The House magazine, Huffington Post, Positive News, and more. They were listed by the Guardian as one of the things to be hopeful about in 2019.

= Aims = The campaign says that they want to transform British politics through the value of compassion and that they are seeking to do that by both changing the way policies are made and the values at the heart of the policies themselves. They are currently focusing on delivering a Bill which the campaign argues will enshrine dignity into British legislation. It will require any future piece of legislation to protect the rights of future generations and steer government’s towards also improving the wellbeing of those in the most vulnerable positions. This the campaign says is part of it’s broader ambitions to rebuild the social contract.

The campaign is also looking at internal reforms that can be made to the parliamentary process to encourage greater compassion between politicians and for the people they represent. They are also working with the media to create a more compassionate media agenda.