Join the young people of the country!
An email just received:
Dear Geoff --
The battle lines in the fight for democracy are being drawn.
We know that the people of this country want reform when 8 in 10 agree we need to change our broken voting system.
But this battle isn't going to be easy.
Powerful defenders of the status quo are already in talks with expensive PR agencies to run the "No" Campaign in the referendum on the Alternative Vote planned by this government. They are desperate to stop any sort of voting reform, proportional or not.
It's only by organising from the grassroots that we can stop them.
On Sunday 13th June, the anniversary of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, we will be holding a democracy picnic at Victoria Square Gardens in London:
http://www.takebackparliament.com/heroes
Emmeline Pankhurst was one of the leaders of the suffragettes - the original purple people who campaigned for equal votes for women.
We will remember past heroes in the struggle for democracy and plan how we will organise and campaign for the struggle ahead with the launch of the first Take Back Parliament Voter Action Groups.
Sign up to attend and take forward the fight for fair votes:
http://www.takebackparliament.com/heroes
Invite your friends and bring some food and drink to share with other purple people!
This is the start of something special - I hope you can be part of it.
Best wishes,
Andy May
TakeBackParliament.com
6 comments:
That depends on how it is done. And how it would operate. Would it mean obnoxious parties — that normally attract racists and 'objectors for the sake of objecting brigade' — getting members in Parliament to vent their hatred?
What is needed is a more equalisation of numbers in constituencies. Local areas should be served with the MP of their choice. Someone known to them is far better than having an MP of any party hoisted on to them.
Unrelated question - As you have a background in petrochemicals I'm guessing you might know the answer to this (I've had a look online but couldn't find anything explaining it properly).
Plastics.... are they a byproduct of making petrol/gas (e.g. created from a different 'part' of the crude oil) or is plastic the same stuff just made with a different process?
I'm trying to get a handle on how big a problem plastic production is in terms of oil usage/global warming. Plastic seems so cheap when compared to petrol and gas that I assumed it was something the oil companies are quite keen to get rid of.
As you've probably gathered, I don't know very much about this subject, but would love to be enlightened if you've the time & inclination to give me a quick explanation.
Plastics and petrol.
They are both made from crude oil which is broken down ('cracked') into small molecules and then joined up together to synthesise different products including high octane petrol and plastics depending on the market requirement.
There are other oil products that are simply 'fractions' separated by distillation to produce stuff like fuel oil and tar for roads.
The price will depend on market demand. Any product can be made from the oil so there is nothing wasted that is sold off cheaply. The price will always be as high as the markets will stand.
It terms of global warming I wouldn't have thought plastics represent any significant contribution. One thing in its favour is that most of it will get buried in refuse dumps. It is only when burnt that carbon dioxide is produced and effect global warming.
As for price, bear in mind that petrol has a lot of tax added to the price. I would have thought that pound for pound plastics would be more expensive that the basic petrol price.
Personally, Gladys, I prefer 'obnoxious parties' being given a platform to put forward their arguments.
They are then expressed openly and people can get involved with arguing against the 'obnoxious' views. I believe there is a lot of 'News of the World' thinking on topics like immigration.
Anyone who calmly reads Enoch Powell's, Rivers of Blood speech will realise that there was a lot of wisdom in his words. He was a very wise and courageous man.
I only found out a few weeks ago thanks to a BBC documentary that he also spoke out against Lunatic Asylums and supported a long campaign to get them closed. Many unmarried mothers at the time owe their freedom to him.
As far as irresponsible groups getting represented, remember that at the same time, very responsible and farsighted groups like The Green Party would have more opportunity to get their important message across.
PR would also enable a few more independent MPs to get elected.
We would then be able to have an MP who shared our views to represent us, unlike someone like John Hutton who never replied to emails.
Will John Woodcock be any better?
Will he reply to your letter to him?
Wouldn't it be better to have someone who takes an interest in our concerns to represent us?
I have never spoken against Enoch Powell. Long ago I realised his 'well meaning' intentions, even if I judged them racist. The BNP is a different matter altogether. They pose a moderate stance but their actions (not so long ago) prove different. Okay, so they might only get one or two in the Parliament you want, but their votes could wield a lot of power when it came to counting the votes over major issues.
People speak openly enough on whatever issue they like.
Given your way of representation, it stands to reason that areas would have politicians thrust upon them. Likely ones that are unknown to the majority there. I might not have voted for our labour candidate but I respect him as the people's choice in this area.
A Green has made it to Parliament. No doubt if she proves her worth other Greens will get elected. They, like other parties, can find areas suitable for their candidates. This must be easier in local government, where (to me) the person is more important than the party.
But we will never see eye to eye over this. I, like others, want a STRONG Parliament. If it is totally fragmented with 'deals' continually be made to pacify folk like the BNP in order to get anything done, then little worthwhile progress will be achieved.
Looking at other countries undergoing huge cuts, people are pulling in all directions. It is always others who have to pay!
Here, participation is asked for. I'm sure even the Greens will get a hearing.
My last word on the subject.
Thanks for the explanation. Interesting.
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