Cambridge SP Adopters Group

Press Release - 19 April 2004

See the on-line version at  http://spdev.gn.apc.org/media/campspag190404.html for links.

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A new global democracy takes off in Cambridge

The Simultaneous Policy (SP) campaign is bringing together people around the world to decide the global rules under which they wish to live, rules which are to replace those putting the interests of transnational corporations and financial markets first. 'SP Adopters' agree to vote only for candidates who pledge to implement the Simultaneous Policy alongside other governments. Simultaneous implementation is intended to remove the threat of disinvestment. Now that the first candidate's pledge has been signed in Cambridge, the pressure is on for other candidates to make the same pledge.

Cambridge SP Adopters' Group (CAMSPAG) Coordinator, Mike Brady, said:

"We are very pleased to have received the first candidate's pledge form from Rosalind. SP Adopters in the Eastern region now have a candidate to vote for in the forthcoming election. But our votes are still up for grabs - other candidates can sign the pledge. We want to see the European Parliament, and later our national government, supporting the Simultaneous Policy. If candidates don't support SP, we simply won't vote for them."

With the party list system used for the European elections, the party with most candidates pledging support for SP will be endorsed. It is free to join the campaign as an SP Adopter by filling in a form via the CAMSPAG website or at the regular meetings held at Emmanuel URC Church, Trumpington Street on the first Wednesday of the month from 7.30 pm. Or call Mike Brady on 07986 736179.

When the Simultaneous Policy was first proposed in John Bunzl's book with that title, veteran campaigner and author Noam Chomsky commented: "It's ambitious and provocative. Can it work? Certainly worth a serious try."

CAMSPAG is the first UK SP Adopters' Group and is being joined by others working to make the vision a reality. It has been meeting since September 2003 and has held policy fora on 'Making all trade Fair Trade', 'Achieving sustainable energy use' and 'Food security for all.' It is becoming increasingly apparent that such goals cannot be achieved when global rules as they presently exist promote competition between nations. SP promotes cooperation and the building of a world community by linking citizens of all countries to develop, and ultimately approve, the global rules under which they wish to live.

For further information contact Mike Brady on 07986 736179 and see the Local Group Network site  http://spdev.gn.apc.org/

Notes:

1. The UK Simultaneous Policy Organistion (Simpol-UK) was incorporated on 22 March this year and SP Adopters around the country are beginning to form local groups. Adopters in other countries are also active and network through the International Simultaneous Policy Organisation (ISPO) - see  http://www.simpol.org/

2. SP's starting point is that we live in pseudo-democracies because governments are limited in the action they can take as they fear disinvestment and loss of jobs if they introduce policies which are distasteful to transnational corporations and financial markets. Human rights and the environment take second place to what is best for 'the economy' and voters become increasingly apathetic, it is argued. SP puts 'we, the people' in charge of deciding the global rules which shape our world and the campaign strategy compels politicians to implement that package of policies when all, or sufficient, other governments have also pledged to do so. Simultaneous implementation removes the threat of disinvestment.

3. Endorsements for the SP strategy can be found on the website  http://www.simpol.org/ Last week it was announced that Jose Ramos-Horta:
Foreign Minister, East Timor and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, 1996, had given his support, stating: "I am pleased to confirm to you my interest in endorsing the SP campaign and to be as active in its support as I can."

4. SP Adopters in Cambridge and elsewhere are delivering leaflets door-to-door with the message: "Had enough of politicians? At the European elections why not vote for yourself? SP - how to use democracy to put the people in charge. Only vote for candidates who pledge to implement the Simultaneous Policy."

5. CAMSPAG has contacted all parties known to be fielding candidates in the Eastern Region for the European Parliament election and will issue updates as additional candidates sign the candidate's pledge. Click here for the latest details.