The Gravy Train

Get Involved: http://www.voteforachange.co.uk/gravytrainvid

The Vote for Change Campaign takes the Gravy Train out on the road.

We never thought a campaign that's all about giving voters a choice was "irresponsible".

But that's just how Steve Curran, chairman of Brentford & Isleworth Constituency Labour Party, branded the first leg in our campaign to expose the politicians who aren't prepared to let voters decide the future of the House of Commons.

Last Tuesday, our Gravy Train passed through North-West London, Labour's Ann Keen, Tony McNulty and Claire Ward the first targets on our list.

And boy was it a busy day.

It began with a call from Watford Police early Tuesday morning. Apparently the Mayor's office had been on to them saying that a trainload of MPs were coming to Watford that day and they didn't know anything about it.

There were worries about security and protocol. The Ferrero Rocher had apparently not yet been arranged in a big triangular pile.

Concerns deepened when they found out it wasn't exactly the real Brown, Blears, and Cameron touring their fair town.

Our campaigners did a fantastic job, handing out Gravy Train' season tickets and other campaign information to voters across the area, unveiling a series of new billboards, and making things a little uncomfortable for some MPs who've got used to a pretty comfortable life in Westminster.

But for some reason we didn't feel quite welcome when we paid a visit to the MPs' constituency offices. Squad cars greeted us when we called on Ann Keen. When we came to collect Tony McNulty his office staffers told us precisely where to go.

Well we didn't expect an easy ride. And our MPs aren't going to get one as long as they stand in the way of a referendum.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• democracy
• voting
• votes
• electoral reform
• vote for a change
• gravy train
• protest
• stunt
• politics
• politicians
• MPs
• expenses scandal
• corruption
• fair votes
• equality
• freedom
• elections
• democratic reform

[CrankCase08]

Why the hell would you want to take action against climate change? It's a natural phenomenom.

[theonlylukepritchard]

Excellent idea. The system does need to change, sooner rather than later so effective action can be taken against corporate irresponsibility and climate change. Let's vote for change

[elaineport7]

I was shocked by this video. Why did you target Watford? Watford CLP has a long commitment to electoral reform. On what basis were these constituencies chosen, unless it was simply convenience, targetting Labour MP's and active Liberal Dems who, I noticed appear in disproportionate numbers in this video. The campaign for electoral reform is not party political. I am seriously considering leaving the Make the Votes Count campaign which I have supported for many years.

[tolkny]

This trivialisation of the need for political reform prompts my leaving the Fair Votes campaign.

Many if not most MPs do a fine job .

The system is a mess over dominated by Party Politics.

To use the corruption of a few as the basis for changing the whole system is flawed

I want no further part of it.

Finally, I have raised questions about the campaign in Emails direct to the organisers some months back and had no response either personally or in the general emailed messages.

[meshuganah1]

someone had a stroke of genius when they came up with this...

[alanswl]

This should be in Glasgow right now, where the Gravy Train's Chief Engineer just stepped up to the Fat Controller's job.

[bwhugul]

What an imaginative idea!

It must have cost quite a bit to purchase that road-train - but it seems to be having an effect!