Poverty, Inequality and the election campaign

Christchurch Progressive Network

Kia ora koutou,

Poverty, Inequality and the election campaign

The Christchurch Progressive Network is not a party-political organisation but we have taken the unusual step of organising a public meeting for Green MP and local Green candidate for Te Tai Tonga, Metiria Turei, to speak during the election campaign.

Following her release of the Green Party policy on social welfare along with personal revelations of the struggle she faced as a solo mother in the 1990’s, a media-led campaign of harassment, denigration and demands for her resignation followed to the point where she resigned her co-leadership of the Green Party in order to protect her family and avoid distraction to the Green election campaign.

A small number of key political commentators don’t just report politics but have taken it upon themselves to tell the public what to think and how to react to political announcements.

This is fundamentally undemocratic, immoral behaviour which we should see as unacceptable.

The media may have hounded and harassed her out of the co-leadership of the Greens but the rest of us should refuse to allow the issues she raised to be swept aside.

The issues at the heart of her personal experiences on a benefit are of critical national importance – and no better time for them to be discussed that in the heart of an election campaign.

We hope you will agree with this whatever your personal political views or allegiances.

We would therefore deeply appreciate if you can:

1. Help publicise the meeting this Thursday 31st August 2017, 7pm, Cardboard Cathedral, Latimer Square (see poster)
2. Consider making a media release in support of this meeting and the crying need for debate on poverty and inequality during this election campaign.

Warm regards,

John Minto

For the Christchurch Progressive Network

johnminto

0220850161