Welcome to SpanThatWorld.com! The online home of the District Fellows Movement, the 16-20 age group of the cooperative children and young people's charity The Woodcraft Folk.
Videos
Direct Your Democracy (a.k.a- Voting Reform)
This was a bit tricky, the name of the campaign, as voted at Althing was Voting Reform, however the attitude which came out of Althing seemed to be calling for complete Political Reform, not only the voting system. There was also a big call for out education about the Political System to be included in the national curriculum.
Since the information all the cuts to public spending have been announced a lot of people have been feeling pretty angry, and this has really sparked off a big young people’s movement which the woodcraft folk have been at the centre of (good work guys!) At Midlands thing we discussed this and came to the conclusion that it was very relevant to our own campaign, as what it all comes down to it the Government letting us, the people, down. They are locking us out from parliament, from a fair voting system and from an education.
Democracy?-Probably not. This is summed up, I believe by the actions of out Deputy PM this year. Not only did Nick Clegg let down all the students who voted for him, because he promised to work towards the end of tuition fees, but he has also let down democracy, if we can not trust a Party will go through with the election campaign promises, how can we entrust them with our vote?
Midlands thing has Re-Launched this campaign as DIRECT YOUR DEMOCRACY.
First things first, the public referendum for the Alternative Vote is happening in May 2011, this is a really important step in our political history as it shows the first step towards a fairer voting system. We need to vote YES, feel like this is something you want to help make happen? GET INVOLVED!
And theres not just that, there are other massive problems with our “Democracy” we can work to change;
Votes for 16, your old enough to live alone, get married, leave education and drive a tractor. Isn’t it time the 16-year olds were treated like the adults they are in every sense, not just the ones which suit. It’s not empowering and it’s patronising.
A bigger push for the Single Transferrable Vote to be considered, probably the fairest voting system, as it is proportional
Campaigning for Education about the Political System in schools, a lot of people are being blocked out of Democracy, simply because they don’t know whats up and down which doesn’t seem fair
Campaigning against the cuts to Education and increase in Tuition fees, something nearly all the members of Parliament have had handed to them.
These are exciting times with the potential for change. Lets make it happen!
In case you, like me, are a bit confused about all the different voting systems THIS is a really helpful website with moving pictures (ooh) which will probably help you out, even if you are a simpleton, again like me!
