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September 21, 2009
End of the line for the Westminster Gravy Train
On Tuesday 22nd September, residents across North West London and Watford will be joining calls for a halt to the Gravy Train that has left MPs – including their own – unaccountable and unrepresentative of their constituents.
The Vote for a Change campaign has chosen Brentford, Harrow East and Watford constituencies as launch pad for a national campaign targeting “roadblocks” - incumbents unprepared to let voters to decide on how we hire and fire our MPs with a referendum on the voting system.
Photo call details below:
The campaign’s very own Gravy Train, carrying some very familiar faces from the front benches, will be touring sites across the constituency.
Departing from London this Tuesday, the Gravy Train has scheduled stops in Brighton and Manchester this conference season, before heading out on a nationwide tour.
Willie Sullivan, from the Vote for a Change Campaign, said:
“This summer the Westminster Gravy Train hit the buffers. But we can’t let this opportunity to build a better politics be lost by its current passengers unwillingness to let voters make that change. Our relationships with politicians begin and end at the ballot box. But our voting system has left us weak and them strong. It dictates whose votes count and whose views matter. It decides which MPs are safe to enjoy jobs for life - all expenses paid. The system has set the rules for our broken politics, and voters deserve a say if these rules stand.
“MPs like Tony McNulty, Ann Keen and Claire Ward have to decide are they with the voters or against them? We’re not out simply to berate the villains of the expenses crisis. We’re out to expose the roadblocks to reform, those MPs who feel that voters don’t deserve the final say on the future of their parliament. MPs should know that politics isn’t about lectures. It’s about debate. We want a debate on the future of our democracy, not to be told what’s best for us by politicians who’ve been so well served by the system.
“We welcome any of supporters of the current system prepared to have a national debate. Let them have their say. But let the voters have the final verdict at a referendum. Opinion polls have shown that voters are prepared to reward politicians who trust them enough to let them decide how MPs are elected. Starting today, those don’t trust their voters will face the consequences.
“MPs watch out: your penalty fare is due, in full.”
Future targets include: Hazel Blears, Nadine Dorries, Gordon Brown, Jack Straw, Daniel Kawczynki, Shahid Malik
http://www.voteforachange.co.uk
PHOTO CALL - On Tuesday 22nd September:
On-site contact: Malcolm Clark (m) 07733322148
The branded Gravy Train (http://www.pjentertainments.co.uk/land_train.htm), crewed by masked figures such as Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Hazel Blears, will be passing through North West London, past local landmarks, constituency offices and new billboards promoting the campaign. Campaigners will be spending the day delivering postcards, formatted as train tickets, to voters across the area.
Brentford and Isleworth
Main photocall at 8.45am at billboard site by Pets at Home store, 2-10 London Road, TW8 8JW
Additional photo opportunities at:
9.30am - Kew Bridge Steam Museum, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford TW8 0EN
10.20am - Ann Keen’s constituency office, 367 Chiswick High Road W4 4AG
Harrow
Main photocall at 1pm at billboard site by Greenhill Way car park, Greenhill Way (Station Road end), Harrow HA1 1LE
Additional photo opportunities at:
1.40pm - outside St Ann's shopping centre rear entrance by junction with Havelock Place and St Ann's Road, Harrow HA1 1LJ
2.50pm – Tony McNulty constituency office, 18 Byron Road (corner with Oxford Rd), Harrow HA3 7ST
Watford
Main photocall at 5.15pm at billboard site by Chalk Hill / Pinner Rd roundabout, 100m from Bushey train station, Pinner Road, WD19 4EA
Photocalls at billboard sites will last 30 minutes and 20mins at other locations. Local campaign supporters will be available for interview during those times, as well as Willie Sullivan, director of the Vote for a Change campaign.
http://www.voteforachange.co.uk/
Posted by malcolmclark on September 21, 2009
