50,000 go on The Wave...

More than 50,000 people marched on Saturday on the 'The Wave' march. Labour activists were out in force, with Ed Miliband also marching and listening to people's views. You can have a look at some photos on the Facebook page for Ed's Pledge.

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URGENT - Email these MPs to get a Financial Inclusion Bill tabled!

HELP CHANGE THE WAY BANKS DO BUSINESS

Today we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to help buid a financial system that works for us all, an economy which puts people before profit.

Given the unprecedented support that our financial institutions have received in the last year, it is vital that they recognise their responsibility to us all – whose taxes, jobs and livelihoods have been put at risk by their failure. All of us should have equal access to routine financial services and credit within their means. Banks should no longer merely be able to cherry pick the most profitable customers, but ensure that their operations serve every part of the community equally.

This is why the Co-operative Party is today launching its campaign for a Financial Inclusion Bill. Based on the successful Community Reinvestment Act in the USA, it would ensure that all financial institutions must engage with, design services for, and invest in people from all geographical areas and income levels.

Parliament held a ballot this morning to select which MPs will be permitted to introduce a piece of legislation which has a chance of becoming law. Because of the upcoming election, only the top five have a realistic chance of changing the law. It is therefore crucial that we can persuade one of them to adopt the Financial Inclusion Bill.

Back in September, our Policy Officer Robbie Erbmann set out for LabourList the reasons for the Financial Inclusion Bill. Read his article here.

The five MPs, including email addresses, who came top of the ballot are:

• Brian Iddon (Labour, Bolton South East): iddonb@parliament.uk
• David Chaytor (Labour, Bury North): chaytord@parliament.uk
• Andrew Gwynne (Labour, Denton and Reddish): gwynnea@parliament.uk
• Albert Owen (Labour, Ynys Môn): owena@parliament.uk
• Julie Morgan (Labour, Cardiff North): morganj@parliament.uk

Please can you take a few minutes of your time today to email at least one of these MPs (preferably all five) and ask them to please adopt the Financial Inclusion Bill. I have included a sample letter for you to personalise and adapt below:

This is our last good chance to create a new law to rebalance our financial system before the general election. It is therefore CRUCIAL that we get as many people as possible to write to MPs today. It will make a real difference.

Kind Regards,

Michael Stephenson
General Secretary

DRAFT LETTER TO THE FIVE MPS

Dear NAME OF MP,

Congratulations on your success in the 2009-2010 Private Members Bills’ ballot. I am writing to ask you to please adopt the Financial Inclusion Bill.

Given the unprecedented support that our financial institutions have received in the last year, it is vital that they recognise the obligation of their responsibility to society – whose taxes, jobs and livelihoods have been put at risk by their failure. The purpose of a Financial Inclusion Bill is to create a new settlement between providers of financial services and the people of the UK and ensure that all people should have equal access to routine financial services and credit within their means.

I am not one of your constituents but understand what a rare opportunity you have been granted via the ballot. I think there is a considerable lack of confidence in our current banking system and believe that this Bill, if successful, could help to ensure that we have a financial system that works in all of our interests.

The idea has the backing of the Co-operative Party and a number of campaigning organisations, which will give it considerable weight when being debated in Parliament and I believe it is realistic to believe that it has a good chance of success. I think that your sponsorship of this Bill would be in the interests of all citizens in this country and I would therefore be very grateful if you would please adopt this Bill.

Yours sincerely,

ENDS

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Co-operative Group Climate Change Debate TOMORROW!

'The Wave: Co-operation in Copenhagen?'
Date: Tuesday 24th November
Time: 7pm
Place: Donald English Room, Westminster Central Hall,Storey's Gate, London. SW1H 9NH.

We know you really care about the environment. So make your voice heard on 5th December at The Wave. This family-friendly march through London is one of our last chances to convince the Government to tale the lead in combating climate change.

Before then, we're giving you the opportunity to explore the key climate change issues at ‘The Wave: Co-operation in Copenhagen?' – a special event being held in London.

Here, a panel of experts – including our own Sustainable Development Manager Chris Shearlock and Oxfam UK's Head of Campaigns Martin Kirk, along with Ashok Sinha, Director of Stop Climate Chaos – will discuss everything from the need for cross-country co-operation in tackling climate change, why the Copenhagen talks are the last chance to take decisive action and your crucial role in The Wave.

To reserve your place, call 0800 015 1147. Refreshments will be provided.

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The Wave - Join us on the 05 December

Together with The Co-operative Group and SERA - Labour Environment Campaign, we want you to come along to The Wave - a procession through the streets of London on climate change.

Join us and other Labour folk marching on The Wave, to show our support for Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband's work to get an ambitious, effective and just deal at Copenhagen.

On Saturday 5 December 2009, ahead of the crucial UN climate summit in Copenhagen, tens of thousands of people from all walks of life will flow through the streets of London to demonstrate their support for a safe climate future for all. Part of a global series of public actions, The Wave will call on world leaders to take urgent action to secure a fair international deal to stop global warming exceeding the danger threshold of 2 degrees C.

We believe that Labour should be proud of its record on Climate Change and therefore it is really important that we stand proud and make our voices heard by marching together.

If you are looking to travel to the event subsidised travel from around the country is being provided for members of The Co-operative and Oxfam Supporters. To find out more go to www.co-operative.coop/thewave.

Alternatively Transport Group Stagecoach is supporting The Wave by offering reduced price coach travel to both London and Glasgow on its popular megabus.com. The special offer means it will cost you just £2 each way plus a 50p booking fee! Book online at www.megabus.com/uk or by calling 0900 160 0900.

At the start of the march, we'll be meeting in Grovesnor Square. Look out for Labour Party / Unison / Co-operative Party banners, or call me (David) on 07749 702352.

Coming to the march? Let us know by commenting below!

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the feeling's mutual

The credit crunch that has paralysed our economy was caused by greedy banks gambling with our money and making massive profits through high risk deals. When those bets failed they took us all down with them.

But mutual financial organisations like building socieites and credit unions have weathered the economic crisis better than the high street banks. Because they are owned and controlled by their customers they have taken fewer risks and put the interests of ordinary people first.

That is why the Co-operative Party is running a major national campaign for those banks that failed us, like Northern Rock, to become mutuals again.

We want a stable financial system with a strong mutual sector.
We want to see an end to greedy bankers gambling with your money.
We want to reverse the damage the Conservatives did to our building socieities when they encouraged them to de-mutualise, and
We want an economy that puts people before profit.

If you agree, be part of our campaign:
1. Sign up on our website
2. Join our Facebook group


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the people's rail

Sick of delays? Sick of nobody to complain to?

Join the campaign to give passengers a say in how our railways are run. Support the Co-operative Party in making Network Rail the People's Rail.

The People's Rail Charter:

• We support the People’s Rail campaign to give the British public real power over its rail network.
• Long- suffering rail users deserve better than a network run for the convenience of managers, with no-one taking responsibility when things go wrong.
• We call on Network Rail to change the way it’s run, in order to give real control to passengers and the public.

To support our campaign for a better, more accountable rail network, you can
1. Sign the People’s Rail charter
2. Spread the word
3. Email the Office of Rail Regulation

Find out more at www.peoplesrail.org.uk