Parliament is closed, manifestos are being published, and some serious analysis of who is wearing what colour tie has begun. Welcome to the general election 2010.
For campaigners like myself it is actually the election campaign period that is more interesting than the result. We hope that our supporters use this vital period to raise some key questions about poverty and climate change. The more our supporters do that the more a new government – of whatever tie-colour – will make those issues their priority.
If you haven’t already, contact your local candidates on the issues you care about.
If you have already lobbied local candidates then its time to move straight on to party leaders! In a first for a UK general election, the three main party leaders are going to be facing each other in a series of televised debates. Yesterday was the first, on domestic affairs, and it’s created a real buzz in our office (and not just about the colours of the ties). Undoubtedly these debates will be a highlight of the campaign, with some commentators stressing that this could be a real make-or-break moment for the three men hoping to be named Prime Minister next month.
We need the leaders to be talking about poverty and climate change in these debates and you can help make this happen. Here are the details of the debates, how to submit a question, and also some ideas for what to ask:
The debate on international affairs is happening on Thursday 22nd April
Why not ask:
All the main parties have committed to spending 0.7% of national income as overseas aid by 2013, but will you commit to making annual increases in the aid budget from this year, towards meeting that target?
Climate change is already having an effect on the world’s poorest people. Will you commit the UK to providing its fair share of the money needed – $200bn each year by 2020 – to help poor countries adapt to climate change and move towards low carbon development. Will you ensure that this is additional to existing promises to spend 0.7% of national income on overseas aid?
The final debate on the economy is taking place on Thursday 29th April
Why not ask:
The Robin Hood Tax is a tiny tax on banks that could raise billions for fighting poverty at home and abroad, and to tackle climate change. Will you support a unilateral tax on sterling currency transactions of 0.005%, and international calls for a tax on all financial transactions of 0.05%?
Good luck getting your question asked and don’t forget to watch on the night!