MVM demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament (photo: MVM).

Make a noise for proportional representation!

Fed up with the disparity between votes cast and seats awarded in our local and national elections? Then join in the national day of action called by Make Votes Matter and make a noise for proportional representation on Saturday 31 July. The local MVM branch wants your support.

Local residents in Hastings will join hundreds of people across the UK on Saturday 31 July to make noise for proportional representation.

From singing to banging drums or pots and pans, people will be out in force to break the silence on the urgent need for equal votes. We will be singing a song for PR with local singers, and anyone interested in this issue is invited to come along and help on the day.

The noisy demonstration will take place on the lower promenade at Warrior Square from 12.30 to 3.30pm, where there will also be a street stall where residents can sign our petition Less First Past the Post, Not More and add their voice to growing concerns about attacks on our democracy.

Attacks on democracy

The Make Noise for PR action day is organised by national campaign group Make Votes Matter. It comes amid growing concern over recent attacks on democracy, including plans by the Home Secretary Priti Patel to use First Past the Post system for future mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections. The police, crime and sentencing court bill currently before Parliament could also curtail the right to peaceful (and noisy) protests.

The sea-front stall is one of many being held across the UK in what is set to be one of the largest and noisiest mobilisations for Proportional Representation in recent history.

According to MVM, the current voting system denies millions of people a voice in Parliament, forces millions more to vote tactically, and distorts the will of the British people.

“It’s time all our voices were heard, and the number of seats matched the proportion of votes in all elections,” said Surrinder Chera, chair of MVM Hastings, who will be taking part in the action.

For more information on the event see MVM’s FB page and website.

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