A new tactical voting movement celebrates first victory in the European Parliament election

Press release 14 June 2004

It is not a political party and it did not put up any candidates in the European Parliament election, but the Simultaneous Policy campaign is celebrating its first entry into the European Parliament. The Simultaneous Policy is a package of policies being developed by people around the world to address global problems such as climate change, unsustainability and unfair trade. SP Adopters undertake to vote for any candidate at elections, within reason, who pledges to implement the policy package alongside other governments. Alternatively Adopters with a party preference undertake to encourage their party to support SP. Six candidates signed the pledge in the UK European Parliament election and one was elected: Caroline Lucas, of the Green Party.

Simpol-UK, which is a member of the International Simultaneous Policy Organisation (ISPO), is not a political party because it addresses only global issues where governments are hampered in taking unilateral action for fear of losing investment and jobs. The majority of party policies fall outside this description. Politicians of all parties are asked to pledge to implement the Simultaneous Policy alongside other governments when all, or sufficient, governments have made the same pledge.

Coordinator of Simpol-UK's Local Group Network, Mike Brady, said:

"It is great news that a signatory of the SP candidate's pledge has made it to the European Parliament. The tactical voting of SP Adopters, alerted through email and the recently launched Simpol-UK website, will have played a part in that. We now call for all successful candidates to sign the pledge - Adopters with a party preference will have stuck by their party with this intention. We aim to achieve cross-party and international support for implementation of policies developed by we, the people of the world, to tackle global problems."

The party list system complicated the election as some signatories of the SP candidate's pledge were not lead candidates. Simpol-UK is analysing the election results to determine to what extent winning candidates may have lost without the pledges of other candidates on their list. Similarly, analysis may show if losing candidates may have won if they had signed the pledge.

The campaign is now building towards the UK General Election, expected in 2005, to make support for SP a key vote and election winning issue.

When the Simultaneous Policy was first proposed in John Bunzl's book with that title, veteran campaigner and author Noam Chomsky commented: "It's ambitious and provocative. Can it work? Certainly worth a serious try."

For further information contact Mike Brady on 07986 736179.

Notes:

1. For details of the state of the party pledges in the UK European Parliament election 2004, see  http://spdev.gn.apc.org/

2. The first SP candidate's pledge was signed in Cambridge by Rosalind Gill, a LibDem candidate. Ms Gill was fourth on the party list and Adopters in the Eastern region were recommended to vote for her by the Cambridge SP Adopters' Group, unless they viewed this as 'unreasonable' or had a party preference. The lead candidate on the LibDem list was returned.

3. It is not yet possible to present what the Simultaneous Policy package will contain as the process of development is at an early stage. As greater numbers become involved in the campaign the primary issues to be addressed will emerge through policy fora held around the world under the guidance of National and Global Policy Boards. The Simultaneous Policy package will be put forward for approval by the people of all countries prior to implementation.

4. The UK Simultaneous Policy Organistion (Simpol-UK) was incorporated on 22 March this year and SP Adopters around the country are beginning to form local groups. The Founding Declaration for Simpol-UK (click here) provides additional information. Adopters in other countries are also active and network through the International Simultaneous Policy Organisation (ISPO) - see  http://www.simpol.org/

5. SP's starting point is that we live in pseudo-democracies because governments are limited in the action they can take as they fear disinvestment and loss of jobs if they introduce policies which are distasteful to transnational corporations and financial markets. Human rights and the environment take second place to what is best for 'the economy' and voters become increasingly apathetic, it is argued. SP puts 'we, the people' in charge of deciding the global rules which shape our world and the campaign strategy compels politicians to implement that package of policies when all, or sufficient, other governments have also pledged to do so. Simultaneous implementation removes the threat of disinvestment.

6. Endorsements for the SP strategy can be found on the website  http://www.simpol.org/ In April it was announced that Jose Ramos-Horta:
Foreign Minister, East Timor and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, 1996, had given his support, stating: "I am pleased to confirm to you my interest in endorsing the SP campaign and to be as active in its support as I can."

7. SP Adopters delivered leaflets door-to-door with the message: "Had enough of politicians? At the European elections why not vote for yourself? SP - how to use democracy to put the people in charge. Only vote for candidates who pledge to implement the Simultaneous Policy."