nef May 2010 e-letter

Leeds Taking Soundings has discussed and even attempted to invite the New Economics Foundation to come and talk to us, but they haven't managed to get themselves together enough to actually get round to it.

Here's their May e-letter to give an idea of what they are about.

nef urges politicians to tackle broken banking system
Take Back Parliament campaign for electoral reform gathers momentum
Fantasy Cabinet creates dream team for tough times
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nef urges politicians to tackle broken banking system
Despite the fact that the UK is still reeling from the effects of the most severe financial crisis since the Wall Street Crash, party leaders didn't really address the big question of financial reform in the run up to the General Election. nef believes that our broken banking system is still the elephant in the room for politicians. The new coalition government must take measures to ensure that we avoid future crises.Our new manifesto, Better Banking, draws on years of policy research about how to create a financial system which is fair, resilient and adaptable, and which brings credit and financial services to disadvantaged communities and to the small businesses who are at the heart of the British economy and job market. The manifesto outlines ten actions, including the creation of a Post Bank, curbs on bonuses and channels for green investment, which we believe are vital first steps for the incoming administration.>> Read Better Banking>> Deborah Hargreaves: Election is ignoring the dysfunctional banking system>> Madeleine Bunting: Finance is responsible for this savage new era. But it's off the electoral agenda

Take Back Parliament campaign for electoral reform gathers momentum
Last month, nef launched the Voter Power Index website which revealed the unfairness at the heart of the UK's archaic First-Past-the-Post electoral system. The site was viewed over 300,000 times since its launch, including 65,000 times on election day itself. Now, having had a hung parliament and seeing the Liberal Democrats gaining seats in government, the opportunity for electoral reform is greater than ever before. nef has joined forces with democratic campaign groups, environmental NGOs and think-tanks to campaign for a fair voting system. Last weekend, a thousand demonstrators rallied in Trafalgar Square before marching to Liberal Democrat head offices to demand that electoral reform remains on their agenda as they enter a coalition with the Conservatives. More demonstrations are planned across the UK in the next few weeks.>> Take Back Parliament>> Sign the Avaaz petition for fair votes

Fantasy Cabinet creates dream team for tough times
Seventy years ago this week, Winston Churchill first formed his cross-party war cabinet to deal with an era of exceptional challenges. It was in that spirit that nef celebrated Election Night, with our "fantasy cabinet" fink club special. We asked guests to come up with an unusual suggestion for both ministerial positions and appointments – to steer the nation on the Great Transition to a new economy.In our election, Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, won a landslide victory as Prime Minister. Other successes included Indian physicist Vandana Shiva as Minister for Food, and renegade-artist Bansky as Minister for Culture. There were also a range of radical proposals for new Ministerial posts: could we follow the example of Hungary and set up an Ombudsman for Future Generations? Or how about a Ministry for Common Sense comprised of a jury of randomly selected citizens to observe the cabinet process?As we make our way through a deeply unusual time in politics, we'd very much like to hear your suggestions for cabinet members up to the task in hand.