The Jimmy Reid Foundation, Scotland’s left-wing think tank, today brought
together politicians from across party boundaries to urge Scots to back The
People’s Charter as a way of changing Scottish politics.
The People’s Charter (click link for more
information) is an initiative launched by political activists, trade unions,
campaigning organisations and others who want to see a rebalancing of political
priorities towards the real issues faced by ordinary people and away from the
interests of ‘big money’. The Charter contains a wide range of policy proposals,
organised under six themes:
- A fair economy for a fairer Britain.
- More and better jobs.
- Decent homes for all.
- Protect and improve our public services – no cuts.
- Fairness and Justice.
- Build a secure and sustainable future for all.
A Scottish Parliament petition urging the Scottish Government to adopt the
principles of the Charter where it has the relevant powers closes on Friday (2
November) and XX MSPs from across party boundaries have joined together to
encourage people to sign up. Today they issued a joint statement:
“The People’s Charter reminds us of
the first principle of politics; that government should always serve the people
first. But the economic crisis and the imposition of austerity on workers and
families to protect big commercial interests shows that globally this principle
has been forgotten. We do not agree on everything, but we all agree that it is
time politics was rebalanced in favour of the people. That is why we have come
together to urge people to sign the petition in support of the People’s Charter.
Now is the time for Scotland, Britain and the world to change
course.”
The MSPs supporting the statement are Jamie Hepburn, John Wilson, Elaine
Smith, Neil Findlay, Patrick Harvie, Alison Johnstone, John Finnie and Jean
Urquhart.
The petition has over 2,800 signatories so far. It has the full support of
the trade union movement including the STUC , UNISON, RMT, FBU, PCS, NUJ and
UCU as well as a number of trade union councils. It is also supported by
organisations such as the Morning Star, the Campaign for Socialism, the SNP
Trade Union Group and Glasgow International and by individuals such as Elaine C
Smith and David Hayman. As well as the politicians supporting this statement,
many others have signed the petition including Angela Constance, James Kelly,
Bill Kidd, Ricky Henderson, Ewan Aitken, Stewart Clark, Linda Fabiani, Drew
Smith, Lewis MacDonald, Siobhan McMahon, Michael McMahon, Anne McTaggart, Katy
Clark, Ian Davidson and Anas Sarwar. Shona Robison, Roseanna Cunningham and
Bruce Crawford have also offered support.
Reid Foundation Director
Robin McAlpine said:
“
I’m always talking to people who feel that politics is leaving them
behind. Well, this is their chance to be heard. There are two days left for
people to sign this petition and make sure that everyone hears the message that
we want a politics for people and not just the politics of profit. If ordinary
people do not make their voice heard then powerful commercial interests will
continue to dominate public life - at our expense.”
ENDS
Further Information:
Robin McAlpine 07788 923 120 (mobile)
01899 221 677 (landline)
robin@reidfoundation.org