Trade unions and charities welcomed Labour’s pledge to repeal the “gagging laws” if it comes into power.

The Trades Union Congress as well as the British membership body for non-governmental organisations Bond were quick to hail the Labour Party’s pledge that when it comes to power it would scrap the “illiberal” Lobbying Act.

The organisation’s chief executive Ben Jackson said Bond welcomed the announcement and that it has always “maintained the need for legislation that enables groups to campaign in a transparent and accountable way on the big issues that face our country and planet, not a law that gags civil society.”