Politics for the Many

Make Votes Matter Warrington Street Stall Stockton Heath Village
2022-07-30 12:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London)
MVM Warrington are holding a street stall :
Saturday 30 July, 11am -1pm
Location: Forge Shopping Centre, Stockton Heath, Warrington, WA4 6HW
We would love it you could come and help us engage with the public, and it’s no problem if you can’t stay for the whole time period.
For further information please contact: watsonandyj75@gmail.com

Building the resistance - unity through struggle
2022-07-27 20:00 - 21:30 | Online
Hear from unions in dispute and campaigns on the central importance of their struggles and how we build on a summer of resistance.

About this event

With…
John McDonnell, Mark Serwotka (PCS General Secretary), Andrea Egan (UNISON President), RMT Speaker (tbc), Louise Regan (National Education Union), Sarah Woolley (BFAWU General Secretary), Nabeela Mowlana (Young Labour Student Rep) & Ben Selby (FBU Vice-President); Chaired by Gemma Bolton (Labour NEC & Arise Festival).
With Johnson finally on his way out, now is the time to up the struggle against the Tories and the whole ruling-class offensive. Hear from unions in dispute on the central importance of their struggles and campaigns – and how we build on a summer of resistance in the period ahead.
Supported by Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs. Join this online discussion on the Left & the labour movement’s next steps to close Arise 2022 – An Online Festival of Left Ideas.

Anti-Racist Industrial Power Across the Globe
2022-07-26 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
Racism in the workplace is not a new phenomenon. It is indicative of the widespread racism that people of colour across the globe face in almost every facet of public and private life. But, as trade unions, we are committed to eradicating the prejudice and discrimination and disadvantage that continue to deny many Black workers the opportunity to secure decent jobs and careers.
Internationalism is the bedrock of the British trade union movement, and the international trade union movement is largest civil society organisation in the world. Workers across the globe today face threats on all fronts – from the Covid-19 pandemic, the rise of the far right, growing inequality, the climate crisis, and structural racism. Throughout history we have seen workers stand together across borders time and time again. Join us as we continue the conversation on how we campaign for the rights of workers who face oppression across the globe and support their struggles.
This webinar, presented by the TUC Anti-Racism Taskforce, will look at how anti-racism lies at the heart of industrial struggles across the globe. We will look at the challenges facing anti-racists organisers and how we organise to win major industrial and political victories around the world. Bringing together speakers from across the international trade union movement, we will hear from speakers in the UK, India, and Brazil. Portuguese/English interpretation will be available.
The event will be chaired by Frances O’Grady, TUC General Secretary. Speakers include:

Anatalina Lourenço, Anti-Racism Secretary CUT Brazil
Tarek Islam, Senior Community Engagement and Outreach Worker, Fashion-workers Advice Bureau Leicester
Dominique Muller, Policy Director, Labour Behind the Label

Further speakers to be confirmed.

Northern Pride - union brunch and pre-march meet up
2022-07-23 11:30 - 13:00 | TUC Unite Building, John Dobson Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8TW, United Kingdom
This year UK Pride is coming to Newcastle. With the festival set to be the biggest Pride the city has ever seen, we want to match it with the biggest union presence Northern Pride has ever seen.
Come and join the Northern TUC LGBT+ Forum and other members from across the union movement to get ready for Pride. There will be brunch, safe and private changing facilities, face painting and plenty of fun.
Once everyone is ready, we’ll make our way up to Newcastle Civic Centre (only five minutes walk from the office) for the start of the march.
This is the perfect opportunity to highlight the role trade unions play in achieving positive change for LGBT+ communities and show just how much support there is within the movement. We’d love to see you there!
If this is your first Pride and you’d like to have a chat about what to expect then please get in touch with Helena Hammock on hhammock@tuc.org.uk.

Levelling Up Democracy: The Mark Drakeford One (Save the date!)
2022-07-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Save the date, to join Mark Drakeford, in conversation, at the second of our Levelling Up Democracy series. 6:00pm, Wednesday 20 July 2022. #Labour4PR

“Now, let me make a confession: I have been a supporter of the Labour campaign for electoral reform for the whole of my political lifetime.
How anyone clings to the notion that a system which delivers, so consistently, majority Conservative governments on a minority of the votes cast is best for working people simply baffles me.”
– Mark Drakeford, giving the Aneurin Bevan Memorial Lecture

The UK has the worst regional inequality of any rich nation. Yet the current ‘levelling up’ debate ignores the deep, structural causes of this: from a system that hordes power in Westminster, to an unrepresentative House of Commons that struggles to see the big picture.
Before becoming First Minister of Wales and being elected to the Senedd in 2011, Mark Drakeford served as a South Glamorgan County Councillor and was Professor of Social Policy and Applied Social Sciences at Cardiff University. Having lead Wales through the pandemic, he will share his ideas on how democratic reform of Westminster can help save the Union, address inequality and create a healthier political culture.
How can Proportional Representation, devolution and democratic reform form a central part of Labour’s programme for rebuilding Britain? Watch to find out.

Democracy Loves Local Power
2022-07-19 19:30 - 21:00 | Online
The UK is the most centralised country in Western Europe, and First Past the Post is not helping.
FPTP’s ‘winner takes all’ culture draws power further into Westminster, and incentivises those wielding that power to keep it with themselves.
‘Levelling up democracy’ is therefore increasingly becoming a part of discussions of how we address regional inequalities.

Panel Discussion: How can we reach equal representation of women in Parliament by 2028?
2022-07-19 11:30 - 14:00 | Portcullis House, Attlee Suite, Portcullis House, London, SW1A 2LW, United Kingdom
This panel event, hosted by Centenary Action Group, will examine how current political parties can increase the number of women MPs and what needs to change in the culture to ensure they are retained. The event includes a Q & A session, as well as networking opportunities for CAG members and parliamentarians. Speakers include Baroness Anne Jenkin, Abena Oppong-Asare, Daisy Cooper, Dr Lisa Cameron and Baroness Natalie Bennett. The panel will be chaired by Carolyn Quinn (BBC). Please RSVP to Jo Gibbons at gibbons@careinternational.org

Democracy Messaging Guide Workshop
2022-07-18 15:00 - 17:00
Join us for the launch and workshop of the Democracy Messaging Guide (all welcome).
On a mission to communicate in more compelling ways and build public support, in late 2020 a dozen democracy organisations teamed up to produce a messaging guide for the sector. Based on rigorous testing and research, the guide outlines how to frame democratic reform in a way that works to shift public attitudes and behaviour. This jam packed workshop is for anyone trying to talk about changing the political system in the UK.

Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival and Museum
2022-07-15 - 2022-07-18 | Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum, Dorchester Rd, Tolpuddle, Dorset, DT2 7EH, United Kingdom
In the 1830s life in villages like Tolpuddle was hard and getting worse. Farm workers could not bear yet more cuts to their pay. Some fought back by smashing the new threshing machines but this brought harsh punishments.
In 1834, farm workers in west Dorset formed a trade union. Unions were lawful and growing fast but six leaders of the union were arrested and sentenced to seven years’ transportation for taking an oath of secrecy. A massive protest swept across the country. Thousands of people marched through London and many more organised petitions and protest meetings to demand their freedom.
Museum
The Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum tells the harrowing tale of the Martyrs’ arrest, trial and punishment, leading to the foundation of modern day trade unionism.
The museum is a modern, informative, and educational exhibition, using interactive touch screen displays new graphic panels telling the story in text and images. The museum sets out the Martyrs’ story in four sections: Before the arrest, The Oath and Betrayal, Transportation, and the Homecoming.
Visit the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum

Festival
Every year in July, thousands of people to enjoy the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival. It is a weekend of family entertainment, stalls, political debate, comedy, music and a grand procession through the village.
15-17 July 2022
– Join the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Facebook group
– Subscribe to the Tolpuddle Martyrs Youtube channel
– Get your ticket to the festival at tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk
Find our more about the annual Festival

Labour for a New Democracy - campaign update - Summer 2022
2022-07-13 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
Campaign update – Summer 2022
Start: Wednesday, July 13, 2022 • 7:00 PM • British Summer Time (GMT+01:00)
Virtual event: A link to attend this virtual event will be emailed upon RSVP
Host Contact Info: hello@labourforanewdemocracy.org.uk

Durham Miners' Gala
2022-07-09 - 2022-07-10
The DMA announced last year that the returning Gala will be dedicated to key workers.
Carers and bus drivers, delivery workers and nurses, shop staff and teachers, everyone who has risked their lives to keep society functioning throughout the pandemic will be celebrated.
The DMA will work with trades union branches across the country to bring people into Durham, and is calling on the public to gather in greater numbers than ever before in support of the country’s key workers.

North Cumbria Make Votes Matter Group Meeting
2022-07-04 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
For our agenda will be reviewing Equal Votes Walk, Preston Rally, Get Moving for PR, and their impacts; discussing PR developments locally/around the country, and what they might mean for the possibility of PR becoming adopted. Counteracting arguments against PR.

The Representation Gap
2022-07-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Convocation Hall, Church House,, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3AZ, United Kingdom
How representative is Parliament? What does this mean for policy and politics?

About this event

In representative democracies, parliament (or the legislative) determines whose ‘voices’ in democracy filter through to governance and decision-making – and whose do not.
On one hand, the social and economic background of parliamentarians has an important impact on the policy choices they make in office. One the other hand, it has repercussions for public trust in democratic politics and voting behaviour.
As recent political scandals in the UK push issues relating to political representation up the agenda, we will consider:

How representative is the House of Commons of UK society?
Are recent improvements in gender and minority ethnic representation cause for celebration? Or is there more than meets the eye?
Why is there a growing ‘representation gap’ with regard to social class? What are the implications for policy and politics?
How does political representation in the UK compare to other representative democracies?
How can we improve the representativeness of parliament?

A keynote address will be delivered by the Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. This will be followed by a panel discussion. Our speakers are:

Professor Rainbow Murray, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London
Michael Jennewein, Researcher for Democracy and Economics at FES Democracy of the Future – Vienna
Lisa Eigbadon, co-founder of Grassroots Graduates and youth advisor at Rekindle School
Michael Bankole, PHD candidate in the Department of Political Economy, King’s College London

This event is taking place on Monday 4 July from 5 – 6.30pm at Convocation Hall, Church House, Westminster, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3AZ. The event is being held in partnership with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES).

International Brigade Memorial Trust commemoration,
2022-07-02 14:00 - 15:00
2 July LONDON – IBMT annual commemoration at Jubilee Gardens on London’s South Bank, with speakers including RMT President Alex Gordon, a representative from the Basque Children of ’37 Association, Liz Estensen – daughter of International Brigader Otto Estensen, and more. Will also feature music from Na-Mara; International Brigade Memorial, Jubilee Gardens, London SE1 7JA.

Women Chainmakers Festival - 2022
2022-07-02 12:00 - 18:30 | Mary McArthur Gardens, Whitehall Road, Cradley Heath, B64 5BG, United Kingdom
In 1910 the Women Chainmakers of Cradley Heath fought a successful 10-week dispute to establish the right to a minimum wage for their labour. Each year the Women Chainmakers Festival recognises and celebrates the role of women within the trade union movement and aims to reclaim the often forgotten contribution of women to Britain’s industrial heritage. The festival usually includes a banner procession, history tent, activities for children, music and speakers. In 2020 and 2021 the festival was held online. The 2022 festival is scheduled for Saturday 2 July and will return to Cradley Heath – find out all the details from the Women Chainmakers festival.

The Art of Going Viral: Your guide to social exposure and engagement
2022-06-28 11:30 - 13:45 | Online
World – class social media engagement workshop with Owen Williams, former head of Social Media at BBC (and now Managing Director of Siml)

About this event

Owen Williams was formerly head of Social Media at BBC One and is the reason that the Red Dragon, the Scottish Saltire and the St George Cross emoji flags exist on our keyboards today.
Owen’s session provides the recipe to getting social media right. He’ll break down how content goes viral – why some clips get shared and viewed more than others. He’ll also explain how the algorithms can be gamed. In amongst all this he’ll be sharing his huge experience, hilarious anecdotes and outstanding advice.
You’ll leave the session with:

A clear three-part social strategy

World-class tips and tricks

An understanding of the algorithm powering social media

So if you want to find out more about how to engage with more audiences and to take your new found knowledge and confidence across and beyond spaces of democracy then this session is for you!

Make Votes Matter Stall in Birmingham
2022-06-25 12:00 - 14:00
Saturday, June 25, 2022

11:00 AM 1:00 PM

MVM Midlands are holding a stall in Birmingham on:
Saturday 25th June 11am -1pm
Location: Mosley Farmers’ Market, Birmingham B13 8HW
Please note about parking: There is free parking at Marks & Spencer which is about a 5 minute walk from Mosley Farmers’ Market. There is also a Pay and Display car park two minutes away. Parking on the nearby streets is limited.
If you can come along for any part of the above time period, and help us engage the public regarding Proportional Representation, then we would love to see you, and would really welcome your support. If you come along and take part in a group photo on the day, we would really appreciate that also.
For further information you can contact:
Reed on: mvmleicester@gmail.com
or local@makevotesmatter.org.uk

Make Votes Matter East London Stall June 2022
2022-06-25 11:30 - 15:00
Saturday, June 25, 2022
10:30 AM 2:00 PM

MVM East London are holding a street stall on:
Saturday 25th June 10.30am – 2pm
Place: Broadway Market, Hackney (between Regent’s Canal and London Fields)
Will you join us to speak with local Hackney residents about the need for a better democracy where every vote matters?
We will bring petition papers for people to sign and speak with local residents about how Proportional Representation would help bring about a kinder society (you don’t need to be an expert, we can brief you there). Come for the whole time or just help out for an hour or so.
it would be great to have you there if the date and time works for you.
For any further information please contact: MVM-East-London@outlook.com

Make Votes Matter East Herts Stall in Bishop's Stortford Market
2022-06-25 11:00 - 15:30
MVM East Herts (& adjoining areas) are holding our next stall on:
Saturday 25 June from 10am to 2.30pm
Meeting place: Bishop’s Stortford Market
Come and join us!
We will have a vote-o-meter, leaflets, stickers and badges. All the more support the better!
mvm.eastherts@gmail.com

Make Votes Matter South Hampshire (Havant) Street Stall
2022-06-25 11:00 - 13:00
MVM South Hampshire (Havant branch) will be holding a street stall on :
Saturday 25 June from 10am
Location
Meet at the War Memorial
Please join us and help to campaign for better politics.
For any other questions, or to join the group, please get in touch via email at MVM.Southampton@gmail.com

Democracy Drinks
2022-06-24 18:30 - 20:30 | Teviot Row House, 13 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AJ, United Kingdom

TUC national demonstration in London, followed by rally in Parliament Square
2022-06-18 13:00 - 18:00 | Portland Place, London W1, London, W1, United Kingdom
Enough is enough. We demand better. We deserve better.
Energy bills are rising 23 times faster than wages. Read more
Let’s turn anger into hope and hope into action.
Please help mobilise for the national march and rally on Saturday 18 June.
Watch and share our ‘I’ve had enough, and I am not going to take it anymore’ film
Action points for you:

Please share on your own feeds – TUC tweet and images for social media.
Please tell activists, members, workmates, friends and family about the event.
Are you organising a coach? If you have a coach booked please let us know so we can advertise your coach details on our website.
Circulate the appeal for stewards

Sign up for updates and see the route
Leafletting
GET PR DONE! will be leafletting on the day. If you would like to join them, the meet up time and location is Saturday, 18 June at 11:30 a.m. sharp. The place is in front of the John Lewis store, 300 Oxford St. London W1C 1DX (The exact location is on the north side of Oxford St at the corner of Holles St and two blocks from the main march route on Regent Street.) If you want to be added to the WhatsApp group, email Barry Howard [barryhoward1962@hotmail.co.uk] and include your mobile phone number.

Leafleting outside Unison Conference
2022-06-15 09:00 - 10:30 | Costa Coffee, Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2GR, United Kingdom
We’d welcome any help to hand out leaflets about the priorities ballot and reasons to support proportional representation.

Unison Conference - Fish and chip supper with Sam Tarry MP - ticket only
2022-06-14 20:00 - 21:00 | Monarch Bar & Restaurant, 46/48 Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 1NA, United Kingdom
Do you have a question about proportional representation? Join Politics for the Many and Labour for a New Democracy for an informal opportunity to discuss the questions that come up at your branch, and hear from Sam Tarry MP. Please drop by our stall at Unison Conference to find out more about our campaign and get a ticket. Veggie option available.
Speakers include: Sam Tarry MP and Caroline Osborne (Labour for a New Democracy)

Have your branch delegates joined the “Unison for PR” delegate network?
There’s a group of “Unison for PR” delegates who are organising to get Proportional Representation prioritised for debate at the NDC, coordinated by Politics for the Many & Labour for a New Democracy.
If your branch delegates want to help – or just want to hear more about why trade unions would benefit from electoral reform – they can click here to join this delegate network and WhatsApp group.

Unison Conference Fringe - Unison talks Proportional Representation
2022-06-14 18:30 - 20:00 | The Old Ship Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 1NR, United Kingdom
More Unison branches have submitted motions on Proportional Representation to the National Delegate Conference than on any other single issue.
With a debate about electoral reform taking place across the wider labour movement, Unison now has an opportunity to take a position.
Join Stephen Smellie (Unison NEC, personal capacity) and a panel to hear why First Past the Post doesn’t stack up for trade unions, and why Unison should back PR at this year’s NDC.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP for Brighton Kemptown
Aileen McLoughlin, Central Bristol Health Branch (personal capacity)
James Anthony, Unison NEC (personal capacity)
Nancy Platts, Politics for the Many
Caroline Osborne, Labour for a New Democracy

Chair: Stephen Smellie, Unison NEC (personal capacity)
Hosted by: Central Bristol Health, Glasgow City, Norfolk County, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Surrey Unison branches.

Have your branch delegates joined the “Unison for PR” delegate network?
There’s a group of “Unison for PR” delegates who are organising to get Proportional Representation prioritised for debate at the NDC, coordinated by Politics for the Many & Labour for a New Democracy.
If your branch delegates want to help – or just want to hear more about why trade unions would benefit from electoral reform – they can click here to join this delegate network and WhatsApp group.

Leafleting outside Unison Conference
2022-06-14 09:30 - 11:00 | Costa Coffee, Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2GR, United Kingdom
We’d welcome any help to hand out leaflets about our fringe, fish and chip supper and reasons to support proportional representation.

Democracy Loves Strong & Stable Government
2022-06-13 19:30 - 21:30
Can Proportional Representation deliver ‘Strong & Stable Government’? The evidence shows that yes, it can!
Legislatures elected under proportional systems have been shown to produce better, and more stable governments. Proportional Representation:

Puts an end to the ‘yo-yo politics’ of First Past the Post.
Leads to more stable decision-making, and governments backtrack less.
Creates a greater diversity of opinion, and creativity of thought.

As a result, governments elected under PR come up with better solutions to a range of problems. From income inequality to climate change, countries with PR deliver better answers to the existential questions of the day.

Unison Conference - Visit our stall
2022-06-12 - 2022-06-17 | Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2GR, United Kingdom
Politics for the Many is the trade union campaign for political reform.
Labour for a New Democracy is the coalition to secure a Labour commitment to Proportional Representation for UK general elections.
To build an economy and society that works for all means overhauling the warped electoral system at Westminster that silences millions of working people.
Come and visit our stall to find out more.

Have your branch delegates joined the “Unison for PR” delegate network?
There’s a group of “Unison for PR” delegates who are organising to get Proportional Representation prioritised for debate at the NDC, coordinated by Politics for the Many & Labour for a New Democracy.
If your branch delegates want to help – or just want to hear more about why trade unions would benefit from electoral reform – they can click here to join this delegate network and WhatsApp group.

Scrapping the system that keeps the Tories in power - Online rally followed by expert Q&A
2022-06-09 19:30 - 20:45 | Online
Voters should be able to kick out those who vote on our laws. As the late Tony Benn said, the question we must ask of powerful figures is: “How can we get rid of you?”
First Past the Post works to the Tories’ advantage. Their votes are more ‘efficient’ in transferring to seats which means that come election day even if Labour and the Tories are neck and neck when the ballots are counted the Tories would end up on top. It took on average 38,264 votes to elect a Tory MP in 2019, but for Labour, that same figure was over 50,000.
Featuring trade unionists, MPs and campaigners for a fair voting system, we’ll be discussing how First Past the Post means a minority of the country choose the government again and again.
Chair: Lynn Henderson, Chair of Politics for the Many
Speakers include:

Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP
Clive Lewis MP
Sam Tarry MP
Rachael Maskell MP
Aileen McLoughlin, Unison SW rep on National Labour Link Committee
Cllr James Beckles, Unison member
Stephen Smellie, Unison NEC (in a personal capacity)
Caroline Osborne, Labour for a New Democracy
Darren Williams, PCS National Officer
Julie Ward, Vice Chair LCER & former Labour MEP

Expert Q&A with:

Jessica Garland, Electoral Reform Society

Briefing: Elections, parties and the case for renewing democracy - The Democracy Network
2022-06-01 13:30 - 14:30 | Online
A protest against democratic politics has been mounting for decades and is gathering steam. It can be seen in the form of ‘silent’ and ‘noisy’ protests across advanced democracies. Mainstream political parties are failing to respond to the protest against democratic politics. This can be seen in their electoral decline, yet centre-left and centre-right parties have shifted their policy positions in response to the right populist challenge, most obviously on immigration. But it is a not a strategy that is reaping electoral dividends and may only to strengthen their populist challengers. Instead, mainstream parties should seek to address the causes of the protest.
There is an urgent need to address the causes of the protest against democracy. A progressive response to declining status and lack of voice necessarily involve reforms that put citizens back at the centre of democracy.
This briefing emphasises and unpacks the idea that parties committed to democratic values should put ‘giving back control’ at the heart of their electoral strategy and their agenda for government.
