Gathering momentum behind the Vote for a Change campaign

The Vote for a Change campaign is gathering pace.  On 9 July, over 500 people gathered at Westminster Central Hall to rally in support of the Vote for a Change campaign.  On Saturday, high profile Labour MP and former Cabinet Minister James Purnell has come out and backed the campaign. In an interview in The Guardian, Purnell says that Labour should put electoral reform to a referendum at the next election. http://tinyurl.com/ktp9uo 

The rally was the largest gathering of electoral reform support in almost a decade, and a real mix of people: many new to the issue, as well as long-time activists. There were audience contributions from representatives of pensioner, youth, women's and environmental groups - all putting the case for why changing the rules of politics is so important, and why it can't be left to the politicians.

What we asked on the night - and I ask of you now - is that the most important thing you can do for the campaign is invite several of your friends or colleagues to join. We need as many new people involved as possible. There is a lot of latent support for changing the voting system out there - we need to convert people's dislike of the way politics is done now, into getting them to be part of a growing movement that is willing to stand up and support change.
http://vote4change.bluestatedigital.com/page/invite

Or forward on the campaign video to people; or post a link to it on your facebook site, twitter feed etc. http://bit.ly/17xOON

Time is short for the campaign. We only have until early November to get the referendum into the Queen's Speech. 5 November is the 'd-day' for this part of the campaign. So we have no time to lose in building up support ... start sending those emails and encouraging people to sign up!

For those who couldn't make the Vote for a Change rally, you can get a flavour of the evening from blog posts by Oscar Diamond (a volunteer) http://tinyurl.com/kueysc  and the Fabian Society's head Sunder Katwala http://tinyurl.com/n923az  . Photos from the rally are here http://tinyurl.com/lt5ca4  And have a look at the campaign's Youtube Channel for video messages from Billy Bragg, KT Tunstall, Dave Neita and others who performed or spoke on the night. http://www.youtube.com/user/VoteForAChangeUK

I have received many emails from supporters asking to have events and activities outside of London, and so that is now what I'm planning in conjunction with colleagues from Vote for a Change. We'll be sending an email next week outlining a bit more on how MVC and the Vote for a Change campaign are going to be working closely together over the coming months.

In the meantime, have a look on the Vote for a Change campaign website www.voteforachange.co.uk

Finally, for those in the North West, do come along to the NW Make Votes Count meeting on Saturday 25 July from 12.00 noon to 3.00 pm in Cabinet Room B of County Hall, Pitt Street, Preston. County Hall is close to Preston Railway Station. Car parking is available nearby. The meeting will discuss the new Vote for a Change campaign with speakers including Mary Southcott (ERS and LCER). Pat Moloney, a former Liberal Democrat Liverpool City Councillor will also make a presentation on the results of the European Parliament elections. A buffet lunch will provided. There is no charge but donations are welcome. Further details from Bill Taylor, NW MVC Co-ordinator, 01253 737129 or

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