Politics for the Many

Make Votes Matter Stall in Birmingham
2022-06-25 12:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London)
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

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!

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Make Votes Matter Warrington Street Stall Stockton Heath Village
2022-07-30 12:00 - 14:00
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

Make Votes Matter - Yorkshire Day
2022-08-01 16:00 - 19:00

PCS - Facebook live 3 August – getting ready for the national ballot
2022-08-03 20:00 - 21:30 | Online
Get your questions ready on the national ballot and national campaign for decent pay, more jobs and better services as we hold a live broadcast on our Facebook page from 7pm on 3 August.
PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka will be on hand to talk about the importance of using the next few weeks to get ready for the industrial action ballot on pay, pensions and jobs which runs for 6 weeks from 26 September. The event will be hosted by our national president Fran Heathcote.
Send in your questions in advance to editor@pcs.org.uk and give our Facebook page a like so you are ready for the event.

Make Votes Matter North London Update and August meeting
2022-08-04 19:00 - 20:15
Hello North London Equal Votes Campaigners.
Our next meeting is on:
Thursday, 4th August 6pm-7.15pm
It would be good to attend the call for two important reasons;

The report back from the recent Alliance meeting where the beginnings of a bit of step change or gear change in the MVM campaign is previsioned.

Since two influential Shadow Cabinet members inhabit our manor, MVM North London has been invited to play a particular role in the run up campaign to Labour’s September conference.

All are welcome.
If you have any questions or want to join the MVM North London group, please email David Brown at davidvital@talktalk.net.

Make Votes Matter - Stall in Worcester
2022-08-06 13:00 - 15:00
MVM Midlands are holding a stall in Worcester on:
Saturday 6th August, 12pm to 2pm
Location: Angel Place, Worcester WR1 3QS
Please note about parking: The closest parking is at Crowngate Car Park, Moreton Place, Worcester WR1 3LZ
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.

Make Votes Matter South West London Summer Street Stall
2022-08-13 11:15 - 13:30
The MVM South West London are holding a stall:

When: Saturday 13th August 10.15am– 12.30pm

Where: see below.

Please register for the Special Summer Street Stall in Windsor.

Join us on the same train to Windsor or meet us there.

Clapham Junction 9.08

Putney 9.12

Richmond 9.18

Twickenham 9.22

Windsor & Eton Riverside 9.56

Please check trains time nearer the day

Join us for a snack/drink/picnic afterwards

Join us on the same train back or whenever you have had enough.

Please sign up here so we can check on numbers.
https://actionnetwork.org/events/summer-street-stall-in-windsor
If you’d like to join the SW London group, or want further information, please contact René Bach by email at bachrene@gmail.com.
Or join our WhatsApp Group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/La0z48Ape515mcmKRIHi3F

South Yorkshire festival
2022-08-14 12:00 - 18:00 | Wortley Hall, Sheffield, S35 7DB, United Kingdom
FREE ADMISSION to the South Yorkshire Festival Platinum Celebration
11am until 5pm
Car parking is £3 per car with proceeds going to charity
Wortley Hall would like to welcome you to its annual summer event, proving FREE fun for all the family.
The hall opens its doors to provide gift, craft and garden stalls to browse plus BBQ, outdoor bar & refreshments will all be available. There is a program of FREE entertainment for all the family including live music, dancers, donkey rides, bouncy castles, kid’s rides and much more!
ALL FREE OF CHARGE
A fantastic day out for all the family!

Peterloo March for Democracy
2022-08-14 13:30 - 18:00 | Piccadilly Gardens, Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, M60 1HX, United Kingdom
Peterloo March for Democracy
Sunday14th August
March will start from Piccadilly Gardens at 12:30
Event starts at 1pm in St Peters Square
Followed by a Q and A on Democracy at the friends meeting house at 4pm
Confirmed speakers include:
Jeremy Corbyn
Ken Loach
Ian Hodson
Stella Moris
Plus, many more trades Unionists.

Enough is Enough - London Launch Rally
2022-08-17 20:00 - 21:30
Clapham Grand, SW11 1TT

Wednesday August 17, 7pm (Doors open 6pm)
Mick Lynch, RMT
Dave Ward, CWU
Zarah Sultana MP
Eddie Dempsey, RMT

In the coming weeks, Enough is Enough will be holding rallies across Britain.
We will be organising community groups, supporting picket lines and taking action against companies profiteering from this crisis.
Sign up to the campaign for details of events in your area, follow our social media accounts – and share our content to help turn anger into action.

Enough is Enough - March and Rally - Liverpool
2022-08-20 12:00 - 15:00
RMT Liverpool 5 Branch Invite ALL to attend the “Enough is Enough” March and Rally!

Speakers include:

Eddie Dempsey – RMT Senior Assistant General Secretary
Paul Nowak, TUC Deputy General Secretary and the next TUC General Secretary
Jane Loftus – CWU President
Martin Cavanagh – PCS President
Paul McGowan – Chairperson of LGBT+Socialists

Entertainment on the day, Families welcome! Bring your Flags, Banners and loudest voices!

Joint strike solidarity march & rally - Manchester
2022-08-20 15:30 - 18:00
While profits soar, workers are feeling the pinch, so more and more are striking to protect their livelihoods despite the Tories competing to try to strip workers of our rights. Join this march and rally to show solidarity with all the strikers.

Assemble 2:30pm, Victoria Statue, Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester
3pm march
Rally around 4:30pm back in Piccadilly Gardens

On the day, unless they have won by then, we expect RMT, TSSA, Unite Arriva bus and UNISON AQA members to be on strike.

Hosted by Manchester Trades Union Council
Already supported by RMT, TSSA, Unite Arriva Wythenshawe, UNISON AQA. More TBC.

As well as speakers from the strikes, we will have a CGT rail worker from France, People’s Assembly, and the PCS samba band.

We Demand Better - next steps - Northern TUC - Cumbria
2022-08-23 15:00 - 17:00
On the 6th of June we stood together and said loud and clear that Cumbria demands better.
We then took this message to London as part of the TUC’s national demonstration.
Now it’s time to decide what happens next.
Join us to discuss Cumbria’s priorities and how we can work together to improve the lives of working people across the region.

On the agenda so far:

Britain Needs a Pay Rise campaign
Industrial priorities
Local government reorganisation
The West Cumbria coal mine

Carnegie Theatre & Arts Centre, Finkle Street, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 2BD

If you don’t live in Cumbria, but know someone who does, please share this meeting with them!

CWU Young Workers Forum 2022
2022-08-25 - 2022-08-27
See event website for more details

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS - Glasgow
2022-08-26 - 2022-08-27
One Man Magic Lantern show of the classic book THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS by Robert Tressell
Actor Neil Gore brings this humorous and absorbing book to life in his one-man magic lantern show. Based on the 1914 novel by Robert Tressell, it’s story is set in the building trades of Edwardian England where painters and decorators struggle to maintain themselves and their families, poverty and the constant fear of unemployment notwithstanding, while renovating a large townhouse for the local mayor.
With projected animation & fantastic story telling there’s something for all the family here, not least the chance to become acquainted with this timeless story of socialism and political awakening.
