Voting in the UK election for Members of the European Parliament has ended, though results will not be known until Sunday.
There were 16 candidates who supported Simpol, 6 of them lead candidates who are first on the list for taking up a seat if their party gains enough votes.
The UK campaign in the build up to the elections was regrettably low key, with the onus falling on local groups and individual campaigners and the indefatigable John Bunzl to contact candidates.
With a general election due within a year, and possible only months away, now is a time to be thinking about promoting Simpol to voters and politicians so we are ready. Personally, I would love to see at least one Simpol-UK training and preparing day, which we can start planning for now.
I have recently been invited to join the Simpol-UK Strategic Planning Group and would love to hear from anyone who is interested in being involved in helping to prepare for the general election, either in organising such a day, producing materials, contributing ideas or as a participant looking for support.
It can be immensely rewarding to take action - and taking action can be as simple as sending a message to candidates in your area: there is no need to commit to more than you are able.
As an example, I contacted candidates in the Eastern Region with the message I posted on my blog at:
http://globaljusticeideas.blogspot.com/2009/03/countdown-eu-election.html
I was pleased that the Green Party candidate, Rupert Read, gave Simpol his support, as a long-time Adopter himself. His comment was: "I have long been a signatory to Simpol, and hope that this election campaign will bring more power to your arm."
Rupert's support for Simpol will have benefited his campaign, with Adopters checking the website to see who had signed up or receiving updates I sent out. I even had someone telephone me directly just before election day to check who had made the Simpol pledge.
This benefits candidates and helps to put those supporting Simpol into power, so bringing us closer to the time when the policies developed through our democratic process can be implemented.
At the same time, Simpol gains publicity. Rupert posted news of his support on his blog as follows, available at:
http://rupertsread.blogspot.com/2009/05/rupert-read-pledges-support-for.html
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Rupert Read Pledges Support For Simultaneous Policy
In the Eastern Region, Green Party candidate, Rupert Read, has become the first to give his support to the Simpol approach. Other candidates have also been invited to do so.
The Simultaneous Policy is a package of measures being developed democratically by people around the world to address global problems.
Simpol proposals include creating a World Transnational Corporation Regulatory Authority (WTCRA) and 'Contraction and Convergence' - a policy aimed at addressing climate change.
Supporting the Simpol campaign does not mean you have to support individual policies however! It is free to sign up as a Simpol Adopter and all Adopters can vote on policies or put forward their own proposals.
Simpol policies have been picked up widely - the WTCRA policy (developed in Cambridge by Mike Brady) has been published in the newsletter Jus Semper in English and Spanish, for example. See:
http://globaljusticeideas.blogspot.com/2009/04/simpol-builds-networking.html
Click here to sign up or to learn more about Simpol.
http://simpoleuroelection2009.blogspot.com/
---quote ends
This shows Simpol synergy in action! In this case, not only does the candidate gain votes, people have been encouraged to sign up as Adopters. And proposals that have done well in past voting have been highlighted, demonstrating once again how putting proposals forward for inclusion in the policy package brings them to the attention of a wider audience.
Obviously I'm pleased that my own proposal comes in for special mention – though it remains to be seen if it survives future voting rounds to remain in the process.
Repeatedly I see how the strategy developed by John Bunzl proves itself time and again in all its facets. This should encourage us all. All that is missing is wider involvement - but that will surely come.
Even with a relatively low level of activity in these elections we will see MEPs elected who have pledged to implement the Simultaneous Policy alongside other governments.
With the general election on the horizon we can make a breakthrough in every constituency where there Adopters if we think ahead.
So if you are interested in helping to prepare, whether on the internet, at a future event or in your community, please contact me directly.
I'd welcome suggestions or requests and can take these forward to the Strategic Planning Group for approval.
The Group itself is open to new participants, so if you are interested, let me know and I'll pass it on.
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