Supporters of a more accountable Parliament prepare to move on Westminster tonight

Vote for a Change Rally tonight

Hundreds of people will be gathering tonight at Methodist Central Hall to push for real reform of parliament and to make the point that politics is too important to be left to the politicians.

Top class musicians and poets – including KT Tunstall, Billy Bragg, and ‘people’s poet’ Dave Neita – will be performing as part of the Vote for a Change rally in Westminster tonight, from 6.30pm.

Come along and join in what will be the largest gathering of electoral reform support in over a decade. The rally is a powerful campaign moment: kickstarting activity across the country and building up the pressure on politicians to hold a referendum on the voting system.

Communities Secretary John Denham will be speaking; and there’ll be contributions from Dave Rowntree and Oona King; as well as a chance for people to put politicians from across the political spectrum on the spot about expenses and reform. There’ll also be a range of representatives from civic society organisations talking from the floor about why they support the campaign.

The rally comes a day after Cabinet minister Alan Johnson used an Independent article to press colleagues to embrace electoral reform, and the latest polls again show considerable public support for a shift to proportional representation.

Malcolm Clark, of Make Votes Count (one of the organisations supporting the Vote for a Change campaign) says:

“The eye of a media storm seems to be the only way we currently have of holding our politicians to account and getting rid of those that abuse their position and take voters for granted. This must change. We have to end safe seats and the jobs-for-life attitude that so prevails. We need to have real power at the ballot box.

Change will have to be approved by Parliament; but it won't come from there. It is a cosy world that even many of the lobby journalists don't want to break. That is why so many people are coming together to show MPs that they won’t stand for it; that they demand change.” 

Malcolm Clark 07733322148

Rally for a Change - Event Update

On Thursday 9 July

Be part of the Vote for a Change campaign rally at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, London on July 9th at 6.30pm. There will be music from Billy Bragg and a very special guest, poetry from Dave Neita and guest speakers including Oona King and Blur’s Dave Rowntree. There will be also be a chance to put some politicians on the spot – including Jo Swinson MP, Peter Tatchell and Gerard Batten MEP.

Reserve your place now by emailing:

Here's why this campaign matters:

Second homes; second jobs; second rate representation?

The eye of a media storm seems to be the only way we currently have of holding our politicians to account and getting rid of those that abuse their position and take voters for granted. This must change. We have to end safe seats and the jobs-for-life attitude that so prevails. We need to have real power at the ballot box.

Change will have to be approved by Parliament; but it won't come from there. It is a cosy world that even many of the lobby journalists don't want to break.

That is why I am asking you to join forces with hundreds of others to push for real reform of parliamentand to make our politicians listen - and understand - that it's us, the voters, who need to be put first. www.voteforachange.co.uk

The Vote for Change campaign has pulled together a coalition of organisations to campaign for a change in the way we elect our politicians. For too long now, British politicians have abused their position of power. In part, that’s been due to the way they are elected – our system isn’t representative and is completely out of date. Changing the system is the only way to make sure this abuse cannot continue.

Did you know that not one MP was elected by a majority of their constituents? How can we have a politics that truly represents the views and interests of the people if the views of the minority hold sway? That's why we’re supporting the Vote for a Change and calling for a referendum on reforming the voting system to be held no later than the next General Election.

Add your name to the thousands already supporting the Vote for a Change campaign.  Sign up now.