26-03-2016, 12:21 PM
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38 Degrees
Dear Geoff,Behind every headline is a person.
It’s a simple but powerful truth. And it’s one that our own government was forced to admit this week as the new Minister for Work and Pensions finally confirmed what we’ve all been pushing for: the cancellation of cruel cuts in support for disabled people. [1]
This is what he said in Parliament: “Behind every statistic is a human being and perhaps sometimes in government we forget that." [2]
From Aberdeen to Amber Valley, 38 Degrees members all know that politics is too important to be left to politicians alone. And we’ve proven time and time again that when we work together, we’re a powerful force for justice, compassion and fairness.
Just take a look at what else we’ve achieved together already this year.
Defending our NHS
38 Degrees members voted the NHS our top priority for 2016. [3] We’re working together to protect the founding principles of our NHS: a system that puts people over profit. A service that saves your life no matter how much money you have. And an NHS that’s there for all of us from cradle to grave.
2016 will be the year we build the movement to protect our NHS in our towns, cities and villages. 38 Degrees members are starting to meet up all over the country to protect local NHS services. [4] We’re getting to know each other and getting organised.
And it’s already working: from Lewisham to Derbyshire, there are countless examples of doctors’ surgeries, A&Es and cancer services that are still open for everyone because local people worked together. [5] There’s only one difference between the services that get shut down quietly and those that continue to save lives: it’s people like us.
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An independent, well-funded BBC
38 Degrees members know that if you want to stay informed, you have to find a way to cut through the spin and find the truth behind the headlines.
Together we funded polling that proves that when it comes to public trust, the BBC beats the government hands down. The people-powered results made headlines nationwide. We submitted over 177,000 submissions to the government consultation over the future of the BBC, and ensured they couldn’t write us off. [6]
And we made it harder for politicians to get away with giving themselves the power the pick and choose the people who run the BBC, with a huge emergency petition to keep the BBC independent – now 160,000 people strong and counting. [7]
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Freedom of Information
38 Degrees members believe in transparency and democracy. We know we can’t hold politicians accountable if we can't find out what they’re doing, what they’re spending money on, and who they’re talking to behind the scenes.
So when the government set out cynical plans to water down Freedom of Information laws, thousands of us sprung into action. And - thanks to us - they’ve now backpedalled completely. [8] Plus, their own advisors agreed that we’ve the right to know what companies like Serco and G4S are up to when they provide public services like our NHS. [9]
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People power just keeps on growing
It’s not just our politicians we’ve been holding to account so far in 2016. Together we took on Asda’s plans to cut collections for food banks - and won. [10]
And we’ve been turning our backs on rip-off energy companies, using our collective bargaining power to negotiate better deals and switch en masse. Already, thousands of us have switched – sending shockwaves through the boardrooms of the Big Six. [11]
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Uniting in times of fear
Of course, this week also marked the latest acts of violence in a campaign aimed at terrorising us, dividing us, and sowing hatred and fear. Our hearts go out to all those reeling from the violence in Brussels, Ankara, Iraq and elsewhere. [12]
There are those who would tell us that we should take an eye for an eye, lose faith in the human race, and point fingers of suspicion even within our own communities.
But 38 Degrees members like us show what’s possible when lots of people stand together for something better. People like us prove that when we unite behind hope, not fear, we can move Britain even closer to the kind of country that makes us proud to live here. People like us prove that standing up for what you believe in is better than sitting back and complaining.
Thank you for being part of this millions-strong movement. Here’s to us.
David Babbs
Executive Director of 38 Degrees
26-03-2016, 02:57 PM
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Re: 38 Degrees
This is one of the few organisations that I donate to by direct debit.While I don't agree with all of their crusades they are mostly well meaning and there is strength in numbers.
There are however many other groups who have 'jumped on the bandwagon' and so many petitions doing the rounds now that I wonder if it has greatly lessened the impact.
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