The Charities Bill and the proposed law banning the incitement of religious hatred, both of which were dropped due to pressures on parliamentary time at the end of the last parliament, have been included in the Queen?s Speech. The Bills are among 45 separate pieces of legislation planned for the next year. While the Charities Bill, which will amend the definition of charitable purposes, has been widely welcomed by the sector, the law on the incitement of religious hatred looks likely to cause controversy among the arts community. The proposals have been criticised for infringing free speech and being impossible to enforce. Artists and writers have argued the law could be used to challenge the production of critical or satirical works such as Salman Rushdie?s The Satanic Verses or ?Jerry Springer ? The Opera.?
The interests of the arts will continue to be overseen by Tessa Jowell, at least for the first part of the life of the new parliament. Commentators have suggested that her position as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport may be reviewed this summer after the announcement of the city that will host the 2012 Olympics. In addition to this role, she will speak at Cabinet level on women?s issues. Her junior ministerial team has a new look with David Lammy taking over as Minister for the Arts from Estelle Morris, who, on retiring from parliament, was rewarded with a seat in the House of Lords. The Tories? shadow Secretary of State for Culture, John Whittingdale, has been relegated to the backbenches and his portfolio has been added to that of Theresa May, Shadow Secretary of State for the Family. Don Foster has remained as the Liberal Democrats? culture spokesperson.
Published: 23-05-2005