As Greenpeace an international environmental campaign are backing “Take back Parliament” which strikes me as a tad odd, I thought I’d write to them and ask:
1) How it fitted with their other campaigns and will they be campaigning in other countries?
2) If they felt it was appropriate for an international charity such as themselves to be campaigning to change the electoral system of a democratic nation?
My e-mail is below, and I shall report on any response I get, I’d also note that they don’t mention this sort of campaigning on their donate page – hardly honest open and transparent.
Update Seems Greenpeace are also signed up to Make my vote count.
Update 2Friends of the earth are also signed up but at least are more upfront about their reasons (more Green MPs)
“Dear Greenpeace,
I’ve searched your website as you recommend and I’ve been completely
unable to find any mention of “electoral reform” amongst your
campaigns and goals. As far as I can make out, and have understood
since your inception, you are infact an international movement
campaigning on ecological topics. In fact as it says on your website:
“Our goal is to ensure the ability of the earth to nurture life in all
its diversity. We organise public campaigns:
* for preventing climate change by ending our addiction to polluting fuels and promoting clean, renewable and efficient energy
* for the protection of oceans and ancient forests
* for the elimination of toxic chemicals
* against the release of genetically modified organisms into nature
* for nuclear disarmament and an end to nuclear contamination.”
All very laudable goals, but electoral reform doesn’t appear to be
amongst them.
So I would be very grateful if you could kindly explain two things to
me:
1) Where does electoral reform fit into your goals and general
campaign structure and will you be campaigning for electoral reform in
other countries than the UK?
2) Do you think that it’s appropriate for an international charity to
be campaigning to change the electoral system of a democratic nation?
I look forward to your reply.
Thank you.
Giolla.”
