« Have the Conservatives got what it takes to clean up politics? | Main
October 04, 2009
The Westminster Gravy Train hits Manchester
- Full steam ahead as Campaign heads for Tory Conference.
- Pit stop planned in Blear’s Salford Seat
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2668/3963122065_7691336983.jpg
Fresh from leading thousands of protestors at Labour’s Brighton Conference http://www.demotiximages.com/news/gordon-gravy-train the Vote for a Change campaign, which is been leading calls for a referendum on a voting system that let so many of our MPs off the hook, is heading for Manchester.
With Gordon Brown kicking reform into the long grass with an empty promise of a referendum in Labour’s next Manifesto, the campaign is now targeting Tory Conference, and their leader David Cameron who preaches ‘choice’, but not on where it counts – on the big question of how we hire and fire our MPs.
Campaigners are training their sights on the politicians who are unprepared to break a voting system that has left parliament unaccountable and unrepresentative, and are taking their very own Gravy Train to conference, staffed by some very familiar faces from the Tory front bench.
The campaign’s Gravy Train, which was branded “irresponsible” by Labour officials on its London launch leg, is now heading on a national tour.
http://www.hounslowguardian.co.uk/news/4644140.All_aboard_the_gravy_train__Protesters_hit_Ann_Keen_s_office/
Willie Sullivan from the Vote for a Change campaign said:
“From duck islands to second jobs, the Gravy Train is alive and well and on it’s way to Manchester.”
“Westminster’s Gravy Train is fuelled by a political system that leaves hundreds of MPs safe to enjoy jobs for life – all expenses paid. In Cameron’s seat, like hundreds of others, you’d need a time machine to see when voters last managed to shake off an incumbent, even though the majority of people continue to back other parties. It’s a system that keeps voters weak, and politicians strong.
“Now as Tories arrive in Manchester, we’re asking why a party of the future remains so committed to the politics of the past.
We’ve taken our campaign into the seats of MPs who feel voters don’t deserve the final say on the future of their parliament. Cameron has made it clear he isn’t a supporter of reform, but that’s no reason to stand in the way of debate. He can tell us the system works as much as he likes; he just needs to accept that the voters, his employers, might just have an opinion. As all MPs should know politics isn’t about lectures, it’s about debate, and the time for that debate is now
“This is about giving voters a choice, a concept all Conservatives should be familiar with - if they’ve read their own literature. We need to call a halt to the Westminster Gravy Train, and David Cameron can either act in the interest of his fellow passengers or in the interests of voters.
Photo Op
Please contact Malcolm Clark on 07733 322 148 for more details.
The ‘Gravy Train’ crewed by Cameron, Blears and Brown will heading to Manchester and Salford.
Sunday - MANCHESTER
1.15 - 2.45pm
Photo op at the train at Owen St car park, before following route past Piccadilly and Oxford Road train stations, culminating at Friends Meeting House
2.45 - 3.15pm
Outside Friends Meeting House, Mount Street. Photos by arrangement only, as we will otherwise be busy setting up for the meeting.
3.15-4.30pm
Public meeting: Have the Conservatives got what it takes to clean up politics, hosted by Martin Bell. This event will be filmed, and members of the press are invited to attend. For more information or a press release contact willie@voteforachange.co.uk
Sunday 4.30 - 5.30
Photos outside of the Friends Meeting House
Monday – MANCHESTER AND SALFORD
10.00-11.00am
Photocall at Friends Meeting House, Mount Street and Albert Square
12:00 - 12.30pm
Photocall and leafleting in Salford, at Hazel Blears MP's constituency office - Jubilee House, 51 The Crescent, Salford M5 4WX
PHOTOS
Hi res photos of the Brighton leg are available to the press.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/voteforachangeuk/sets/72157622475515102/
Posted by malcolmclark on October 04, 2009
