The Pro Referendum Rally is now moving into top gear with the rally steering group now finalizing the details of the rally event of October 27th and the ongoing campaign.
The amazing response we have had from activists means that we are now planning an even more ambitious set of "rolling thunder" campaigns starting on October 27th, one week after the EU Lisbon summit.
On October 27th, a rally will be held in Parliament Square, with the symbolic casting of votes in ballot boxes outside the Houses of Parliament, followed by a speaking event at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre with top-flight speakers from across the political spectrum, the media and other walks of public life.
Since launching the Pro Referendum Rally campaign, we have also been inundated with requests to organize regional events to be held on the same day, and we therefore now call on activists to organise similar events throughout the United Kingdom. So that it presents a coherent campaign in the eyes of the public and the media, we ask that regional event organizers use the ballot box theme in their own campaigns if possible.
It is also very important to stress that the original intention of holding a mass rally of in London has NOT been abandoned. It is now planned to hold this event in the spring of 2008.
The Westminster rally is provisionally planned to start at 12 noon at Westminster with the symbolic casting of ballots outside the Houses of Parliament. All activists not involved in regional events are invited to attend and cast either individual ballots or ballots on behalf of organisations that they represent. Branded merchandise such as t-shirts, bumper stickers and posters to support the rally will shortly be available from our online shop. We ask that for the benefit of presenting a coherent "brand" to the media that apart from the branded information on sale through the shop, banners are restricted to those identifying the location or region that you are representing.
Those attending the speaking event will then move to the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre. Tickets will be priced at the heavily subsidized cost of £10. The price includes refreshments in the Conference Centre.
Ticket sales will be managed so that we can make sure the rally is representative of the diversity of British people as a whole. Please register on the web site to express an interest in buying tickets.
As well as regional events, we ask supporters to get active in the following
areas:
- Lobby your MP, either by writing to them or through the email link provided on the Lobbying page. In particular, those living in Labour-held constituencies should ask their MP to sign the pro referendum Early Day Motions (EDM's) that have already been tabled to Parliament.
- Demand a Parish Poll. Under the Local Government Act 1972, a parish poll may be demanded by at least 10 electors, or one-third of those present at the meeting voting for the proposal. The returning officer is legally required to conduct the poll and announce its results.
- Write to your local newspapers.
- Spread the word. Official merchandise publishing the rally such as t-shirts, posters, bumper stickers and leaflets will shortly be available via our online shop.
- If you are a local Councillor, table a Pro Referendum resolution at your next council meeting.
Those people who wish to make donations to the costs of the rally can now do so here on the website via PayPal. Alternative ways of making donations will follow shortly.
It is very important to stress how a good turn-out at all planned events is vital so that we can sustain and build on momentum and morale in the coming months, leading up to a mass rally in the Spring. We will only be able to do this if this initial step gets off to a great start.
We greatly look forward to working with you over the coming months to achieve our goal in a decisive time for our democracy and the future of our country.
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