When I covered the results of the Power2010 consultation on what political reforms it should promote, there was a brief discussion on this site and elsewhere about whether Power2010 would have the campaigning muscle to really make an impact.
Today brings news of how Power2010 is trying to ensure that. Their news release says:
MPs were put on notice today as democracy group Power2010 announced its plans to target those MPs who have consistently opposed cleaning up and reforming our political system.
The Power2010 campaign, which has received almost £1 million from the Rowntree Trusts and now has paid organisers across the country, will be the largest third-party campaign at the coming election.
In their bid to rid Parliament of anti-reform MPs, the grassroots campaign is drawing up a list of culprits from all major parties wanted for “crimes against democracy” and from today is asking members of the public to nominate MPs at www.power2010.org.uk/wanted.
Power2010 will then launch major campaigns in selected constituencies, highlighting sitting MPs’ poor records on democratic reform and civil liberties.
Ex-minister Tony McNulty is first in their sights. The former minister, who resigned in disgrace last year following allegations over his expenses, is a well-known champion of the government’s unpopular ID card scheme and an opponent of a transparent Parliament.
Power2010 volunteers and activists are planning to descend on Harrow East, beginning next week, plastering “Wanted for crimes against democracy” posters across town, whilst thousands of “swing” voters in the constituency will receive targeted campaign literature highlighting his opposition to a cleaned up reformed politics.
In the coming weeks the campaign will be targeting other MPs from all parties.
They are intending to leaflet 15,000 houses in Tony McNulty’s constituency and run a large advertisement in the local newspaper. If a decent handful of people start putting up the poster, this campaign could have a significant impact in reminding people about the record behind the names on the ballot paper.
Here’s the poster:
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3 Comments
The problem for P2010 is what do they do with us ? If they use the same standard for all MPs their blacklist wont include any Libdems & they will be accused of running a party campaign in disguise. If they try to squeeze one of ours in, for the sake of appearance they will look pretty stupid.
This looks perliously close to being in breach of the Representation Of The People Acts and allied legislation. Or has the law really changed so radically since I was an active service election agent?
For started it is a poster so is intended for display so needs to have some kind of ‘imprint’ on it that can be read when displayed. Not just a website link.
Edis: not sure how long it is since you were an agent, but the rules on “third party” (ie outside bodies – not us!) campaigning are much more generous than they were last century