Manchester NO2ID

Manchester Withinton Candidates Oppose the ID Database!

manchesterno2id — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:30:49 +0000

Manchester No2ID Press Release
Date: 23rd April 2010
For immediate release

At a Manchester Withington hustings last night, six of the seven constituency candidates spoke out against the ongoing ID card scheme and compulsory identity database. The National Identity Scheme is an ongoing issue in the election, with clear dividing lines between Labour and the other major parties on the issue.

Each candidate was asked for their opinions on the five policies of the Power2010 Pledge, one of which is "Scrap ID cards and roll back the database state". Brian Candeland (Green), Marcus Farmer (Independent), Chris Green (Conservative), John Leech (Lib Dem), Robert Gutfreund-Walmsley (UKIP) and Yasmin Zalzala (Independent) were all opposed to the scheme. Only Labour's Lucy Powell spoke in defense of the scheme.

In addition, Brian Candeland, John Leech, Chris Green and Robert Gutfreund-Walmsley took the opportunity to sign the No2ID Pledge, committing themselves to rejecting the ID card scheme.

Manchester No2ID co-ordinator Dave Page said, "Power2010's popular vote on policies has made it clear that people are deeply concerned about expensive, intrusive Government databases like the National Identity Register, ContactPoint and Summary Care Records. No2ID do not endorse any candidates or parties, but we do encourage people to ask their candidates, through Power2010, No2ID or directly, for their stance on these issues."

The hustings was organised by Unlock Democracy and Power2010. Power2010 is a new campaign group, campaigning on a manifesto of five democratically-chosen policies. Unlock Democracy, formerly known as Charter 88, campaigns for electoral reform and is a partner organisation of Power2010. No2ID is the nationwide nonpartisan campaign against the Database State, and another partner organisation of Power2010.

ENDS

For more information or interview, please contact James Elsdon-Baker, North of England co-ordinator on north@no2id net or 07817 695 162. You can also contact Dave Page, NO2ID's Manchester co-ordinator, on manchester@no2id.net or 07722 615 398.

For photos of the signings, see http://manchester.no2id.net/

For more details of the No2ID Pledge, see http://www.no2id.net/pledge/

NO2ID is the UK-wide non-partisan campaign against ID cards and the database state. See http://www.no2id.net/dbstate for a list of ‘database state’ initiatives that NO2ID is actively opposing, and http://www.no2id.net/datasharing for how it all fits together. NO2ID’s ‘Don’t be a guinea-pig’ campaign is at: http://www.idcardcon.org/

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Street Stall, May 2010

manchesterno2id — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:05:11 +0000

Date:

Sat, 08/05/2010 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113308545367479

By the time of our next street stall, we will have had a General Election. No matter who forms the next Government, our fight will continue against the Database State, against the compulsory ID database, for schools safe from intrusive fingerprinting and for an NHS where treatment is not dependent on intrusive databases.

Manchester NO2ID will be running a public information stall in St. Ann's Square in Manchester City Centre (down near the big Marks and Spencer), to raise awareness among the public and engage people in discussion about the National Identity Register. We'll be collecting signatures for the NO2ID petition to keep people in touch with the campaign.

We'll meet in the square itself at 2pm to set up shop; feel free to join us to lend a hand or just chat. You don't need any experience or equipment, just a bit of time to spare and a friendly smile!

Monthly Meeting, May 2010

manchesterno2id — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:48:55 +0000

Date:

Sat, 08/05/2010 - 12:00pm - 1:30pm

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=120601007954037

In a change to previous arrangements, Manchester No2ID will be holding its monthly meeting ahead of the afternoon street stall, in the Moon Under Water pub on Deansgate.

At our monthly meetings we discuss the state of the NO2ID campaign, what we've been up to recently and where we're going in future. Everyone is welcome, newcomer or not, curious or committed. See minutes of our previous meetings on our website.

The pub is just opposite St Ann's Square where the street stall will occur at 2pm, and serves food.

No2ID Stall at Withington Hustings

manchesterno2id — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 22:43:20 +0000

Date:

Thu, 22/04/2010 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115341995159715

Power2010 and Unlock Democracy are holding a hustings at the Hough End Centre, Mauldeth Road West, at 7:30pm on Thursday 22nd April.

Firstly, it would be good if any residents of Manchester Withington could attend the hustings and ask questions of the parliamentary candidates about ID cards, the database state, ContactPoint, the NHS Spine and other initiatives. See http://www.no2id.net/dbstate if you want to swot up.

Secondly, we've been invited to hold a stall at the event. This will be a fairly standard No2ID stall - we'll hand out leaflets to visitors, and encourage them to sign our petition. If people can volunteer to help out with this, it'd be fantastic. Similarly, if you can transport the stall from Levenshulme to Withington, let me know.

I'd like to get photos of as many of the Withington candidates signing the pledge as possible (I'll have to get some more sheets printed off, since we've mislaid the big laminated A2 pledge sheet). It'd make a great story for our site and release to the local press!

Introducing the Mop Handle of Liberty

manchesterno2id — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 10:03:54 +0000

At Manchester No2ID's latest monthly street stall, local campaigners against the Database State unveiled a new, secret weapon called the Mop Handle of Liberty.

This extensible plastic mop handle has been specially commissioned to add a new dimension to Manchester No2ID's campaigning - a vertical one! St. Ann's square is often busy, and the No2ID stall is frequently surrounded by people eager to learn more about the Database State and sign No2ID's petition. This means that our long-serving, well-worn No2ID banner can be obscured from view.

Our newly-constructed A2 plastic-and-paper sign, lifted into the air by the Mop Handle of Liberty, means that our stall is visible from as far away as New Cathedral Street, and that people in the square can see who we are and what we stand for immediately, even if our stall is packed. It's certainly helped us collect a recent record number of petition signatures!

The Mop Handle of Liberty will be on proud display at next month's No2ID stall, just after the General Election on 8th May when we will be beginning pressure on the next Government to scrap the Database State. Come along and join us!

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Minutes of Manchester No2ID Meeting, March 2010

manchesterno2id — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:52:36 +0000

Thanks again to Helen for taking and typing up minutes.

Manchester NO2ID meeting, Wednesday 10th March 2010, 7pm. Lass O'Gowrie, Charles St, Manchester.

Minutes of Meeting

The contents of the recent national NO2ID newsletters were discussed, and the minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Action points from last meeting

Thanks to Alan for emailing James, who is here tonight to help us with campaigning.

Adam now has guinea pig flyers for the stall on Saturday.

Tom has set up a Team email list.

ACTION: Dave to email NO2ID HQ about the Power 2010 campaign.

Street Stall

Matt has the table and publicity items needed for this Saturday's street stall in Manchester city centre, but is unable to make the stall. Tom has sent an email to the public mailing list to inform and remind supporters of the stall.

ACTION: Tom and Adam to get items needed for stall from Matt, and set up the stall on Saturday.

Students Against ID (SAID)

Thanks to Benji for taking on the role of Chair. SAID has been very quiet as of late, as the students who are against ID have been very busy studying. Only Sarah (previous Chair) and Dave (and NO2ID sysadmins) have posting rights to the SAID mailing list. Benji and Helen (Secretary) also need permission to post to the list.

ACTION: Dave to sort out SAID mailing list posting permissions.

General Election

We need to produce a questionnaire on database state issues, and ask candidates in advance, so they have chance to prepare a response.

ACTION: James to produce and organise.

Manchester/Gorton Constituency will be holding hustings in Platt Fields Park, in association with Friends of Platt Fields Park.

We are a non-partisan, single-issue campaigning group, not a political party! We need to contact candidates with all political parties. Dave has a list of local election candidates, not a list of prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) for the general election. Can NO2ID HQ provide a list of the PPCs for the 28 constituencies in Manchester? It may be better to contact candidates directly, rather than via their political party. By law, any promotional material that may influence who people vote for must contain an imprint. This contains details of the name and address of the publisher, printer and promoter of the material (these can be the same person). A physical address (not a PO box) is required.

Press releases can highlight what candidates have said regarding ID cards and database state issues, rather than “don't vote for X because
he/she is pro-ID”.

There is a section of our website - “What can I do?” - with details of how local campaigners can help in the fight against the database state.

ACTION: James and Dave to update website.

A reminder: we oppose database state issues as well as ID cards.

Local Publicity

We could persuade general election candidates to wear NO2ID badges at hustings. These events may be televised. Jumping onto other groups' hustings, instead of holding our own, may be a wise use of our time and resources. We may even recruit some new anti-ID campaigners at these events. Unlocked Democracy will be holding hustings soon, details tbc.

ACTION: Mark to provide information to mailing list.

Power 2010 are also holding hustings. Rob, their North West Co-ordinator, may be organising this. If so, we could perhaps support the event, like our event in 2008 that was co-hosted with the British Computer Society. However, it is inappropriate for us to put Power 2010 publicity materials on our street stall.

ACTION: James to liaise with Rob regarding hustings.

TV show “Question Time” will be filmed in Manchester on Thursday 18th March. We need people to volunteer as members of the audience and ask ID-related questions.

Upcoming Events

Street stall: Saturday 13th March, 2010, 2-4pm St Ann's Square, Manchester.

Power 2010 activist meeting: Thursday 18th March, Sackville St Offices, Manchester.

Unlocked Democracy meeting: Saturday 20th March, Friends Meeting House, Mount St, Manchester.

Meeting: Wednesday 7th April 2010, 7pm Salmon Rooms, Lass O'Gowrie, Charles St, Manchester (near BBC).

Street stall: Saturday 10th April 2010, 2-4pm St Ann's Square, Manchester.

Special post-election meeting: Saturday 8th May, 12:30pm, The Moon Under Water, Deansgate, Manchester.

Street stall: Saturday 8th May, 2-4pm, Manchester, location tbc.

AOB

We are very concerned about confidentiality of medical records. It is possible to opt out of having one's summary care record uploaded to the insecure primary care records database known as the NHS Spine. People are not been given an informed choice about opting out. Press releases may be needed.

We should try to work more with the local media and perhaps the BBC's Politics Show. Local radio station Manchester North FM have shown interest in attending one of our monthly street stalls.

When we meet in the Salmon Rooms of the Lass O'Gowrie, we should put something (signs or posters) to let new supporters know that the meeting is upstairs. Dave has some posters for this. The Snug downstairs is accessible, but we are unable to use this room when the football is on.

Also, those renewing their passport will be added to the National Identity Register from 2011 (next year).

Monthly meeting, April 2010

falken — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:19:17 +0000

Date:

Wed, 07/04/2010 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109106999109111

Manchester NO2ID will be holding our monthly meeting in the Salmon Rooms at the Lass O'Gowrie pub.

At our monthly meetings we discuss the state of the NO2ID campaign, what we've been up to recently and where we're going in future. Everyone is welcome, newcomer or not, curious or committed.

We will be in the bar before hand, enjoying the food (and maybe drink) of Manchester's best pub (Food & Drink Festival '09) so look out for us if you arrive early. If you arrive after the start, just ask the bar staff to direct you upstairs.

Street Stall, April 2010

falken — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:17:19 +0000

Date:

Sat, 10/04/2010 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107680819254813

Street Stall, March 2010

falken — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:30:21 +0000

Date:

Sat, 13/03/2010 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=346562696111&ref=mf

The Home Office is trying to trick people into being Guinea Pigs for the ID Card Con. Many people have fallen for spin that the National Identity Scheme has been cancelled, that it isn't a threat or is voluntary. It's more important than ever to get the word out about the Database State.

We'll meet in the square itself at 2pm to set up shop; feel free to join us to lend a hand or just chat. You don't need any experience or equipment, just a bit of time to spare and a friendly smile!

Monthly meeting, March 2010

falken — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:29:00 +0000

Date:

Wed, 10/03/2010 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=350722232037&ref=mf

Manchester NO2ID will be holding our monthly meeting in the Salmon Rooms at the Lass O'Gowrie pub. Unfortunately, this room is on the first floor; we will attempt to secure stair-free access for future meetings. We're also getting the room at a discount, so please show your gratitude at the bar with the excellent selection of real ales and tasty pies.