Tea Time for change: the most important cuppa of the year!
On June 9th, over 140 MPs sat down over a cup of tea with their constituents in Westminster. The lobbyists were calling for commitments on aid, transparency and the Robin Hood Tax.
Once again, CAFOD supporters have risen to the challenge and raised their voices for justice. Along with supporters from other charities including Oxfam and Action Aid, they were out in force as T ea time for change, the mass lobby on aid and a fair deal for the poor, got underway.
Missed out on the day? Find more ways to get involved with CAFOD campaigns!
Coming from all corners of the UK, 1200 campaigners, passionate about the world’s poorest people sat around small tables in a bunting-festooned Methodist Central Hall. As a result, MPs from up and down the country and from all parties have reinforced the commitment to 0.7%, agreed the need for greater transparency in multinational companies, and promised to look into a tax for the poor on financial transactions. See photos from the day>>
“It doesn’t end here”
After an ecumenical service which we led with Tearfund and Christian Aid, CAFOD Director Chris Bain welcomed supporters to the event. “Today is our opportunity to demonstrate to Westminster that, in the face of a financial crisis, there is a community within the UK that will continue to stand up for the world’s poorest people – and we’re here to stay.” He welcomed the government’s commitment to putting the 0.7% promise on aid spending into law, whilst also urging action to tackle the root causes of poverty, through increased corporate transparency and by finding innovative ways of funding development.
Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell applauded the efforts to keep 0.7% for aid in the budget, saying he had “never been so proud” of any commitment in 30 years of politics. “Charity begins at home, but it doesn’t end there,” he told the crowd. “When today ends, don’t stop what you’ve been doing here today.”
Ask Andrew Mitchell to act for small businesses in developing countries>>
Although the responses from MPs have of course been varied, the day has been a real success, and the voices of people who are passionate about poverty have really reached the ears of their representatives. As MP Correspondent Jim Quinn from Redditch said, ‘I’m here because you’ve got to take every opportunity to influence the government.’
‘My MP says we’ve got to convince the public about aid’, said CAFOD supporter Agnes Milne, from Dunstable. ‘I think he’s right – there’s a lot of opposition. But our security doesn’t depend on arms, it depends on justice. If we had global justice we wouldn’t need arms.’
The future generation
William Adjei from Holborn said ‘there are enough resources for everybody to enjoy. We need to set an example to our children so they can take up the fight.’
But some of our younger supporters were setting the example themselves today. All wearing CAFOD T-shirts they came let their MPs know how passionate they are about the world’s future. “I’m here because of the future of the world”, said 14-year-old Reuben. “We are the future generation”.
“We’re bombarded with images of suffering,” agreed 15 year old Charlotte. “We want to make sure the world of the future is a better place.”
Many lobbyists were encouraged by their MPs’ response to the demands. Frank Dobson, MP for Holborn and St Pancras agreed with all his constituents’ requests and said he would like to see even greater figures on aid and the financial transactions tax. On transparency, Harriet Harman, the Shadow International Development Secretary, singled out CAFOD for praise, thanking us for leading the way in calling for a Bribery Act.
A huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who has lobbied their MP – both in Westminster and online.
