London Citizens, a grassroots civil society organisation, have this evening announced that all three party leaders will appear at their assembly in London on Monday. Newsnight’s Paul Mason, who got the scoop, tweeted, “4th debate by proxy?”
Citizens UK Executive Director, Neil Jameson, speaking exclusively to Left Foot Forward said:
“I’m delighted that civil society in the form of London Citizens has been given the chance to respond during the election. We hope that all three party leaders will be engaging with us on our issues in a respectful way. On Monday, we’ll be meeting with 2,500 representatives of the most informed and organised citizens in the UK.”
It is understood that Gordon Brown, David Cameron, and Nick Clegg have been invited to speak for 10 minutes explaining why their party is the best for civil society. A senior cabinet Minister has also agreed to attend. They are expected to respond to six questions during their remarks.
London Citizens are looking for a response to the following demands:
• build the living wage into all government contracts
• a 20 per cent cap on commercial lending and massive investment in third sector, mutual forms of banking like credit unions
• action to regularise the plight of irregular workers
• pledge to no longer put children and families into detention centres
• pioneer radical forms of affordable housing including community land trusts
• a commitment to work with London Citizens during their time in office, seen by Mr Jameson as the “most important”
The Labour party manifesto is the only to contain pledges on the living wage in the public sector while the Liberal Democrats are committed to an amnesty for immigrants. The Conservative party last month announced the creation of 5,000 new community organisers.
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29 Responses to “Party leaders to face civil society in “fourth debate””
Robert
sadly welfare is not on the agenda again, never mind perhaps one day somebody who has some socialism Will ask why are the people at the bottom treated worse then animals.
Luke Walter
I think London Citizens has made a mistake in not opening this out and invite other party leaders.
We already know the formula with the big three, let them go up against the other choices out there.
Take the Green Party. Green AMs have backed London Citizen initiatiatives and campaigns, particularly the Living Wage campaign.
London Citizens should open the evening up to alternative parties and they should extend an invite to Green leader Caroline Lucas.
Richard Blogger
So will this be televised? Or even reported by the major news organisations? I doubt it.
Dave Conroy
RT @ncvochlo: RT @SamCoatesTimes RT @leftfootfwd: Party leaders to face civil society in "fourth debate" http://bit.ly/c2sdpd
christina speight
Boris (Telegraph today) says he has already driven the enhanced minimum wage through in a great number of London businesses