Five shady-looking youths skulk in the shadows of a multi-story car park, heading towards a wealthy banker as he strolls towards his expensive car. They’re clutching a large pair of pliers, their hoodies up…But this isn’t a dangerous attack… it’s the Robin Hoodies! The Robin Hood Tax is causing a stir with its new film, ‘The Banker 2’, starring Ben Kingsley and a host of rising stars.
But you don’t have to be famous to stage a robbery…merrily proved with plenty of Sherwood spirit by the Bath Oxfam group! They chose to wear their green masks and feathered caps rather than their hoodies to hold up their MP, Don Foster (Lib Dem Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary), pinning him down on his party’s position on the proposed financial transaction tax. Not only did he ‘rob’ a local ‘banker’ from the Bath Oxfam group, he provided a list of key names to contact at Liberal Democrat head office and a pledge to support the proposal. Furthermore, the bandits got an article in the paper! A few more emails and hold ups later, the Liberal Democrat manifesto came out more clearly in favour of a financial transaction tax than their initial position. Still not good enough, but the Bath Oxfam Group are now decided – the occasional hold- up helps to move things along!
The Robin Hood Tax now has a following of 80497 positive voters. This phenomenal support shows just how relevant this initiative is to people in the UK – and therefore also to the voters in the upcoming election. The main parties have now given their official responses to the RHT, and although some progress is being made, we must maintain the momentum if we want the Robin Hood Tax to remain a key election issue. Whilst the Labour party wants only a global agreement, the Conservatives stated this wasn’t essential but still did not secure plans for a tax on banks. Meanwhile, The Liberal Democrats said they were committed to tackling global poverty through a financial transaction tax, but we hope this means they are prepared to move forward without waiting for the rest of the world.
Why not follow in the footsteps of the Bath Oxfam Group and hold-up your MP? Dressing up as Merry (Wo) Men has never been easier, particularly when you can download a template to make your own green mask here. If you’re not quite ready to draw your bows and arrows, you could attend your local hustings and raise the issues of the RHT with your prospective candidates. Or perhaps you’d just like to go along and sit in the audience wearing your Robin Hood mask?! However you choose to act, let’s keep the momentum on The Robin Hood Tax going in the South West!
Email Fiona Remnant: [email protected] for any support and advice on how to get your campaigning message out there!
To show your support for the campaign, vote ‘yes’ on the Robin Hood Tax website, spread the word on Twitter and Facebook and tell everyone you know!
