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Politicians
aren't the only people to publish manifestos and policy calls
during an election. Beneath are some key campaigns that
the churches have been involved in and what they are asking
supporters to do during this election
Alternative
Manifestos
Our
partners in the Salvation Army, Catholic Church ad BOND
coaltion have all produced 'alternative' manifestos to
consider
Consider the Call for
Sanctuary
Citizens
for Sanctuary: Many church people are now engaged
in visiting Prospective Parliamentary Candidates, asking them
to sign the Sanctuary Pledge (re humane treatment and justice
for asylum seekers), and then to revisit the successful
candidate in six month's time to ask what action the MP
will be taking. The major 'ask' is that no
asylum-seeking child should be held in detention.
End Child Detention Now: are working in the same field.
They ask that we quiz canvassing candidates at hustings
or on our doorstep, where they stand on this issue, and/or
write to their local paper about the issue, and/or hold a
prayer vigil in church, or house group for the success of the
campaign.
Outcry: is a partnership between The Children's Society
and Bail for detainees (BID) to end asylum child
detention.
Consider what Tax reforms are
needed
The United Reformed Church
is part of the coalition calling from the implementation
of a Robin Hood Tax targeting bank transactions and using
income gained to support welfare projects at home and around
the world.
Consider those in
Poverty
All three Churches are
members of the Get Fair Campaign, which aims to ensure that no
one in the UK is marginalised or excluded from society due to
poverty. The campaign calls for a decent, adequate income for
all, homes and neighborhoods that secure health and wellbeing,
and builds on the traditions of social campaigning shared by
our Churches.
Consider the impact of cuts in
spending
Church Action on Poverty and
other leading charities have asked for a commitment from party
leaders that tax rises and spending cuts will not hit the
poorest hardest. Church Action on Poverty, Child Poverty
Action Group, Barnardo's, the Trades Union Congress (TUC), and
the Equality Trust have called on the leaders to commit to a
'Fairness Test' on future tax rises or spending cuts
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Don't forget - there are local elections
happening! 
Vote
on May 6
