UK General Election 2010
In the 2010 election campaign period, Bond supported UK international development NGOs and other civil society organisations to work with their supporters to make sure that the fight against poverty as well as the risks of climate change and its impact on developing countries featured highly on the agenda of every political party.
Vote Global - the International Development Manifesto
Bond together with members and partner networks produced a joint International Development Vote Global Manifesto which served as the basis for the sector-wide General Election campaign. The manifesto has been signed by over 200 organisations and asks all political parties to commit to fight poverty worldwide focusing on action in five key areas:
The manifesto also lays out the key principles of international development
Ahead of the election campaign Bond invited political parties to respond to the International Development Vote Global Manifesto and outline how they match the key demands.
Read the responses by political parties and what they commit to do to fight global poverty
Campaigning during the election campaign
Over 40, 000 emails were sent demanding a Robin Hood Tax and 13, 000 people emailed their candidates calling for a reduction of CO2 emissions of 40% by 2020. Over 100 hustings events on global issues were held.
Many tens of thousands also got involved in Bond member campaigns. For example over 7,000 people signed ONE’s ‘On the Record’ petition asking party leaders to publish their party’s plans to fight global poverty, leading to all 3 party leaders making videos outlining their plans. Over 18,000 people signed Save the Children’s election petition leading to 531 candidates pledging to work to tackle child poverty at home and abroad.
World Poverty Day
The campaign also saw party leaders profile international development issues in the media and to supporters. On election 2010 World Poverty Day, arranged by Bond, Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg made speeches at churches and David Cameron paid a visit to an aid distribution depot in Birmingham. The Green Party, SNP and SSP also released statements.
