take back parliament - further details

More details from the Take Back Parliament campaign website.

About this Campaign

Who are we?
With a nod to history this is a purple-coloured movement. Purple is the historic colour of democracy and the franchise in this country - the colour used by suffragettes in their campaign for the vote.The purple index finger in our logo is a symbol of the movement. The simple act of holding up a purple index finger (using ink, marker etc) is an immediate action that people do to show that although they voted, this Parliament doesn't represent them and that they demand a new system. Upload your photo now: here

We're also urging those who support us to show their participation by wearing purple-- a tie to work, use purple on Facebook and Twitter.We are demanding a fair voting system so that we have a Parliament which properly represents the British people.One hundred years on, in the wake of a shamefully biased election result, we must join together in a new fight for democracy and political equality.

What's the deal?
Take Back Parliament brings together a coalition of different groups and organisations in the call for fair votes. They include POWER2010, Unlock Democracy. Electoral Reform Society and Vote for a Change.Take Back Parliament is not aligned to any political party - instead it seeks a fair voting system so that all parties have representation in Parliament according to the number of votes they receive.Mark Ross, Head of Campaigns for POWER2010, is the national organiser and can be contacted at mark@power2010.org.uk

For media enquires contact Daniel Harris or Melissa Milner on 02077934035 or 07976636228.

Why are we doing this?
Our "winner takes all" system of First-Past-The-Post is bust beyond repair.

It produces unfair and undemocratic results, like the one we've just seen, which don't reflect the wishes of the British people.

It empowers a few thousand voters in "marginal" seats who decide elections, while those in "safe" seats, where the MP has a large majority, are ignored.

And it hands huge power to the ruling party based on a tiny proportion of the vote.

It is time for the UK to move to a proportional system that ties a party's share of seats to its share of votes across the country. This is the fairest system. It would ensure everyone's vote counts; it would offer voters more choice and it would produce a government and Parliament that represents the British people.

But any change in our voting system must be led by the people, not politicians. We are calling for a Citizens Convention to be convened to decide on a new voting system to be put to the people in a referendum.

What can you do?
Sign the petition calling for fair votes now.
Come to the rally in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 8th May at 2pm - wear purple cloth or a purple item of clothing to show your support.
Invite your friends via email. Tweet about Take Back Parliament.

It's a completely trivial matter in comparison, but this has completely changed my approach to how I'll perform at a.happening tomorrow. There's going to be a lot more anger. And noise.

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