Braving torrents of rain and rivers of mud Stamp Out Poverty campaigners took our tour bus (well taxi actually) to Glastonbury, the world famous festival. The Tobin Taxi provided a fine mode of transport to help us take our message to the merry, though somewhat damp, revellers. Dressed as city bankers, we strode into the crowds with our suitcase of (fake) cash, and our suits emblazoned with the words: ‘Tax the Banks – Stamp Out Poverty’.
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Stamp Out Poverty campaigners crew the Tobin Taxi and guard the cash at Glastonbury |
At our stall in the Leftfield – Glastonbury’s very own political space – we handed out literature and engaged in conversation to explain that big banks earn profits of $50 billion annually from trading currencies; and that taxing this part of their business could provide urgently needed funds to finance international development.
Hundreds of people signed postcards to Gordon Brown urging him to introduce a stamp duty on sterling currency transactions. We ensured these cards were all posted, arriving at the Treasury last week and increasing the pressure on the Chancellor to take action. In the famous Speaker’s Tent, a platform graced this year by Tony Benn and Billy Bragg, we made a further appeal for support to a receptive audience.
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Stamp Out Poverty taking our message to the Glastonbury crowds |
Exhausting, but very enjoyable, Stamp Out Poverty’s presence at Glastonbury was undoubtedly a great success. Our postcard activity resulted in a substantial increase to the number of our supporters who receive our email updates. So thanks to everyone who signed up, and see you at the next (hopefully less muddy) Glastonbury!
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