Ekklesia
January 18, 2011
Friend
On 5th May, for the first time ever people in the UK will have the chance to change the way they elect their Members of Parliament.
Ekklesia believes that the new Alternative Vote (AV) system would be a small change that would make a big difference. It would make our MPs more accountable, make it easier for independent candidates to stand, make our system more inclusive, broaden the narrow political agenda, and begin to challenge the culture of 'safe seats'.
The campaign has already attracted a wide range of support from democracy groups as well as those working with some of society's most vulnerable people. But there has also been a lot of misinformation, with some even claiming it will create more hung parliaments - despite international evidence to the contrary.
This weekend, I sent a letter to the President of the "No" campaign, Margaret Beckett, challenging her to an honest debate about the issues. It is also important that community groups - including churches - should be at the heart of the debate, providing spaces where the issues can be discussed publicly and openly.
You can play a part in a number of ways:
1. Help make that debate happen by signing up to the petition for a debate now:
www.yestofairervotes.org/HonestDebate
2. If you are near London, attend the 'set piece' debate being organized for churches by a number of Christian groups at the Charities Parliament, which will be chaired by the BBC's Jeremy Vine, and at which I will speaking along with David Aaronovitch from The Times newspaper. It's at 7.00pm on Wednesday 16th February. More information is here:
http://www.faithworks.info/form.asp?id=9203
3. Organise a debate yourself at your local church or in your local community. If you would like resources to help you in this, you can get them by emailing office@ekklesia.co.uk
Please be part of what is a vital debate which could change politics for good.
With all good wishes,
Jonathan Bartley
Ekklesia
phone: 0845 056 5445
