The new chair of the Charity Commission says today that it is vital for the long-delayed Charities Bill to achieve parliamentary approval as soon as possible.

Speaking exclusively to Whitehall & Westminster World, Dame Suzy Leather predicts that the current turbulence in the Labour Party will not make it harder for the Bill to become law. "I would say that the uncertainty won’t be fatal to our hopes," she says.

Leather, who took up the post four weeks ago, also says that whoever is the next prime minister, it will be crucial to continue having a minister with specific responsibility for the voluntary sector. "I am very pleased to have a minister [Ed Miliband] who is dedicated to our area – this is incredibly important," she claims.

"I also think it is very significant that that minister is based in the Cabinet Office, given that department’s strategic position in the government. I would very much hope that when the change does happen, it does’t affect this situation, because having the minister there is very helpful for the sector as a whole."

Leather adds that it is crucial that the Charity Commission maintains distance from the organisations it regulates. "In my talks with staff at our offices I’ve been emphasising that as the regulator we’re not there with our arms around charities."