• Escaping responsibility
    Justice and plain commonsense.
    118 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Eric Evans
  • End the killing in Ukraine
    A nation trying to retain its identity and borders has to realize eventually that it cannot own and rule a significant unwilling minority. Once it has bombed and shelled that minority, and 6000 have died, the game is over and there is no way back to friendship and cooperation. It can remain a running sore like so many of the hot spots in the world or sub divisions can be proposed and negotiated that will bring peace. I suggest that a UN supervised referendum in each small region of the whole of Ukraine should be a part of the solution. The eastern areas should be able to opt for union with Russia or other alternatives and the people of the Western region should be able to renounce their claim to rule the East. I believe the 96% majority in the South of Ireland who renounced their claim to the North played a significant role in bringing peace. Please find a peaceful and lasting solution based on the wishes of people, not politicians.
    124 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Malcolm Crocker
  • Extend Discrimination/Hate Crime Laws - STOP THE MEDIA'S WELFARE SCAPEGOATING
    We already have laws in place intended to protect mainly ethnic minorities within society at large, while other often-disadvantaged groups of people can take comfort in there being rules by which prospective employers must abide. The question of gender equality and the LGBT movement also continue to be major talking points, as campaigns such as those seen on this very site and others enjoy increasing momentum. However, one thing that does appear not to have penetrated the public consciousness - quite the opposite - is the situation pertaining to, in particular, many unemployed and disabled people, beyond merely the legislation being passed. Compounding the present climate of savage spending cuts, workplace ambivalence to rights and key government departments' cruel dehumanisation of their core services' users, is the growing groundswell of opinion - perpetuated by small-scale local news sources [1] and internationally-renowned public service broadcasters [2] alike, alongside everything in-between [3] - whereby anyone out of work or known to be claiming any sort of social security is instantly not only marginalised, but in fact openly vilified [4], and blamed for all manner of perceived problems blighting the country. Some writers even set up websites for the sole purpose of baiting those on welfare. [5] Worse still, the overriding premise around which the whole hysteria was intended to revolve, thanks to the 'free' British media, is a purely sensationalist, propaganda-fuelled one that ultimately rings hollow when scrutinised on the grounds of accuracy. [6] From domestic charities [7] to medal-winning athletes [8], bloggers [9] to the research teams of esteemed Universities [10] the length and breadth of the country [11], online publications [12] and even some mainstream news outlets [13], the message is clear: this is irresponsible, vindictive journalism. Of course, even in light of the recent revelations in relation to the practices of the press and the resulting Leveson Inquiry, it seems that the nature of the stories' content itself is something largely being forgotten about, and so the attacks go ahead. Such is the public's apparent willingness to serve as a channel for the outrage emanating primarily from reports peddled by the likes of the Daily Mail, the Sun and the Daily Express, that we are now seeing innocent claimants abused [14], harassed [15] and even driven to death [16] by those who feel compelled to do their bidding. All this because a tiny minority (less than 1%!) of the DWP's bill are understood to be 'scrounging' off taxpayers' money. Taking vital funding away from those with little else to hold onto is one thing; sitting idly by while the institutions we depend on to inform us fairly and comprehensively instead choose to make these people's lives a complete misery - if not aiding them in doing so - is quite another. The media has no right and no mandate to wilfully turn citizens against each other (regardless of whether the victims can defend themselves any better than is the case here), especially on the basis of misinformation and spin. The buck for the crimes committed against these people (and no doubt many others hounded for a variety of reasons) falls squarely at the feet of those who are moulding ordinary people into vehicles of unfounded hate. This societal cancer needs to be removed at the source. By extending what we already have written in Acts of Parliament, to encompass anyone at risk of being the subject of incitement to ill intent, we can achieve this. [1] http://goo.gl/Sp3YQn [2] http://goo.gl/bMvbz [3] http://goo.gl/ar7Hgh (various links, including top of page 1) [4] http://goo.gl/SO8DPm [5] https://goo.gl/Ti1EK5 [6] http://goo.gl/hKFRrs [7] http://goo.gl/owGMal [8] http://goo.gl/4SwXGH [9] https://goo.gl/c9doFM [10] http://goo.gl/rNbdhv [11] http://goo.gl/9vpRQb [12] http://goo.gl/argS0d [13] http://goo.gl/FfpmZA [14] http://goo.gl/2XgLMn [15] http://goo.gl/EHOxz [16] http://goo.gl/ZHgNhP
    312 of 400 Signatures
    Created by Brian Cocozza Picture
  • Say NO To docking ANY BREED OF DOGS TAILS ITS CRUEL
    well its dam right cruel horrible and would us humans like it if we had our legs or arms docked no
    383 of 400 Signatures
    Created by Steven Taylor
  • Death doesn’t constitute grounds for a refund
    Bunn Leisure told 78-year-old Jean Kinahan, from Croydon, they would not refund her £424 for a week’s stay in September after her partner James Burgess, 76, passed away on Monday, despite her having paid an optional £25 cancellation cover. Mrs Kinahan said: “I rang on Tuesday to put them in the picture. She said if your partner was sick we could give you a refund but death doesn’t constitute a refund.” It's plain unfair, she has already suffered. This is a minnow of a campaign, but I hope it shows the lack of human compassion of companies towards ordinary customers. Read more here: http://www.chichester.co.uk/news/local/death-doesn-t-constitute-a-refund-grieving-woman-told-by-selsey-holiday-firm-1-6880385
    1,097 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by David James
  • Legalising online streaming of UK ATC communication
    With times changing this old law is now obsolete and needs re-writing. Most countries allow their Air Traffic Control radio communications to be streamed on web based sites such as Live ATC, and transmitted to the general public for the entertainment of all. The United States does not ban transmission of these frequencies as they no longer deem it a threat to national security now we are in peace time, so why should the UK? By broadcasting these frequencies it can be an educational tool to assist in the understanding of UK aviation phraseology for student pilots and enthusiastic flight simulator fans. By changing this law it will allow people who do not have access to Air Band scanners the ability to enjoy the daily goings on of UK aviation.
    19 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Dale Stroyde
  • Ban weed killer Glyphosate sprayed on wheat just before it is harvested
    Now that the World Health Organization has publicly condemned glyphosate herbicide as "probably carcinogenic to humans," awareness of this insidious chemical's contamination of the human food supply is suddenly exploding among health-conscious consumers. Most people, however, have no awareness at all that commercial wheat products are saturated with glyphosate before harvest. They think glyphosate is only used on genetically modified crops like corn and soybeans. But it turns out that glyphosate is routinely used as a wheat crop drying chemical to speed up harvesting. (Monitor breaking news headlines on glyphosate in real time at Glyphosate.news, part of the new FETCH.news network.) The very chemical that was designed to kill weeds, in other words, is so toxic to plant life that commercial farmers are using it to accelerate the death of wheat crops, thereby reducing the delay between cutting the crop and delivering it to market. The upshot is that the commercial wheat products you're buying in the store are saturated with deadly, cancer-causing glyphosate weed killer. And this is not just in the States its in the UK too!! And other countries. Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com (NaturalNews) /050583_glyphosate_wheat_bread_crop_contamination.html#ixzz3hT3X3guK
    160 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Anne Walker
  • Hold the Financial Conduct Authority to account for its actions
    At the moment that Financial Conduct Authority is able to make statements or take action with absolute impunity and if clients lose money or advisers lose money as a result, then there is no effective remedy to claim compensation . For example, in the EEA Life Settlements Funds case mentioned above, the Financial Conduct Authority issued a guidance consultation into their proposals for ensuring that the investment was not marketed to unsuitable clients. There were several ways in which this could have been resolved, unfortunately when issuing the consultation guidance the Financial Services Authority (at the time) issued a statement that described the investment in inaccurate, emotive and pejorative terms. This led to an immediate run on the fund and consequent closure, trapping many clients in the fund and creating large scale immediate losses to existing clients. The Financial Conduct Authority has since then been highly active in trying to encourage any client to seek compensation from advisers in order to distract investors from the part it played. Whilst I am wholly supportive of clients making claims against advisers where poor advice has been given, it is not feasible to suggest that all clients were poorly advised, whereas all investors have been adversely affected by the Financial Conduct Authority statement and subsequent refusal to accept any responsibility. The status of immunity against prosecution for damages simply cannot be justified. Any person or body with the ability to affect third parties by its actions, whether verbal, written or by dint of action must be capable of being held responsible for any disadvantage caused to those third party (ies)
    98 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Ian Coley
  • Say 'No' to proposed Industrial Chicken Farm in Clearwell, Forest of Dean.
    I feel passionate about the care and treatment of all animals, and the thought that 350,000 chickens being kept in such cruel conditions appalls me. Clearwell is in a beautiful location in the Forest of Dean, and an extremely popular area for families to come on holiday. I feel that the obnoxious smells enamating from the broiler units would have a detrimental effect on tourism, and would greatly affect local people. The narrow lanes which would be used to transport the dead birds are totally unsuitable for HGV traffic, and will impact detrimentally on the health and safety of local people.
    3,405 of 4,000 Signatures
    Created by Madeleine Deeney
  • Save The Kensington Odeon from demolition
    We risk losing a magnificent iconic community venue.  Kensington does not need any more empty luxury flats being bought up by foreign investors. Hear from the leaders of this campaign just how they feel about the imminent closure. http://youtu.be/czyi8SvcHto With the largest screen in London, a beautiful Art Deco exterior, stunning marble staircases (see end of video) and a mosaic floor in the foyer as the best cinema in London for premieres (already this year it has hosted Sir Ian McKellen in Mr Holmes and Sir Alan Rickman and Dame Kate Winslet in A Little Chaos), special events or just the best family night out! Sir Ian McKellen just interrupted his enjoyment of a Mahler prom at the Royal Albert Hall to sign this petition as he feels so strongly about it! When we went to hand in the petition on Thursday 27th August at 4pm at DCMS, we were very disappointed that minister John Whittingdale was unable to meet us. So we plan to visit Greg Clark at DCLG next week once we have invited all the public figures who have been kind enough to sign our petition (and found which day suits them best), including man of the moment Benedict Cumberbatch and his parents, actor Timothy Cumberbatch & actress Wanda Ventham, those knights of the theatre & film Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf signed at the Royal Albert Hall during Mahler 6), Sir John Hurt (I first saw Alien at the Kensington Odeon), Sir Patrick Stewart (Jean-Luc Picard to you), two different Doctor Whos, Colin Baker & Sylvester McCoy, three members of the Star Wars cast, namely Darth Vader himself, Dave Prowse, Kenny Baker (R2D2) & Jeremy Bullock (Bobba Fett), not to mention the two greatest guitarists in the world, Jimmy Page of legendary 70s British rockers Led Zeppelin, http://pic.twitter.com/qiXF2fJesQ who wrote a letter to the council & posed for a selfie with campaigner & film director/composer Paul Wiffen outside the Odeon last weekend when he came down especially to sign the petition & astronomer http://pic.twitter.com/BPVKvUid1n Dr Brian May of Queen (who featured it on his Soapbox and Twitter feed) both of whom live close enough to walk to watch films at the Odeon, Brian's wife Anita Dobson of Eastenders' fame, supermodel Elle Macpherson (and supermum) who brings her kids to the Odeon regularly (as did the People's Princess Diana with Wills and Harry, of course), Jeremy Clarkson's big crush Kirsten Scott-Thomas, Narnia's White Queen Tilda Swinton, fashion designer Bella Freud and father and son combination James and Jack Fox and last but not least Richard "Four Weddings" Curtiss who gave a magnificent headline quote to the Evening Standard on hearing that it was to be demolished, "London will be a lot less fun without the Kensington Odeon!" http://twitter.com/wiffen/status/635260713435574272/photo/1 Benedict Cumberbatch & his parents have been part of this campaign since 2011 as has the now MP for Kensington & Chelsea, former Deputy London Mayor, Victoria Borwick aka the Lady Borwick! I shall return here to inform you who has accepted our invitation. I am also inviting the Evening Standard (who have been marvellous) and their brand new TV channel London Live (who have interviewed me live on air and outside the Odeon), the Independent (also good), the BBC London news team (who have been absolutely appalling and didn't even mention the Kensington Odeon in a piece on old cinemas under threat on their website recently), the much better ITV London Tonight (who covered our Batmobile march from the Odeon to Kensington Town Hall) and the national press (who have been even worse than the BBC in covering this) to witness the press conference before we go in and the news when we come out (I shall be demanding the announcement of a public enquiry there and then as The Odeon is now screening its last film on August 31st!). I'd like to invite all of you wonderful people who have signed this petition to join us next week outside DCLG in Mar too! Please sign now to Save The Kensington Odeon for all Londoners to enjoy for another 90years. **This petition total includes 20,000 people who have signed a physical petition to 'Save the Odeon Kensington'**
    27,525 of 30,000 Signatures
    Created by Caroline McLean
  • SANDWELL Residents should decide if they want to be part of a Combined Authority.
    Sandwell Council is supporting the proposal that it together with West Midlands Metropolitan and City Councils of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton together with a number of district and county councils and Local Enterprise Partnerships from across the region form a West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). As part of the proposal there has to be regard to the following in order to establish a new body; - The need to reflect the identities and interests of local communities; and - The need to secure effective and convenient local government. Many within Sandwell have expressed concerns that they have not been given enough information on the structure, powers, accountability and scrutiny that a body of this nature will have. There are concerns that we shall lose our identity and that Sandwell and The Black Country will be engulfed by Birmingham and play second fiddle to it. At a recent Council meeting Sandwell Labour Leader Darren Cooper when asked about holding a referendum replied with “Err No” and “he was not prepared to run a referendum”. There are other considerations that don’t appear to have been discussed at any length one being the EU’s push towards regionalisation which a Combined Authority would be. This is tied to the EU’s City 2020 targets. There is a real danger that local democracy and the voice of our communities will be lost as well as our proud Black Country heritage. You really have to ask why there appears to be a race to create a Combined Authority that could include a number of Council with reported failings coming together. Sounds like having a bosted bucket and trying to fill it with water. In my opinion a decision of such magnitude about the future of Sandwell will impact on us all and generations to come and can not be left to Councillors of which in Sandwell 71 of the 72 are Labour members. In notes available from the Sandwell Council website concerning the meeting held on the 21st July point 6.17 states the Chief Executive in consultation with the Mayor may determine the date of an Extraordinary Meeting. The purpose of which would be to approve the proposal and submit to the Secretary of State in late September/early October in order for the Combined Authority is operational from 1st April 2016. No decision should be made without full, proper and representative consultation and all documents are open to view and upon the result of a referendum of the residents of Sandwell. Due to the timescales involved this petition requires your URGENT ATTENTION.
    261 of 300 Signatures
    Created by Darryl Magher
  • PROTECT NHS CHILDREN'S SERVICES IN BRISTOL & SOUTH GLOS FROM PRIVATISATION
    NHS children's community health services and the inpatient adolescent mental health service in Bristol & South Gloucestershire are in the process of being recommissioned. The first stage of this campaign has already been successful with the recent announcement that the interim contract to deliver community children's health services for one year during 2016/17 has been won by a partnership made up of Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) and two social enterprises, Sirona Care & Health CIC and Bristol Health CIC. The adolescent inpatient mental health unit, the Riverside Unit, will also be provided by AWP, with private company The Huntercombe Group, acting in a 'consultancy' role. However, AWP will be running the unit on a day-to-day basis and staff will be employed by AWP, so it will essentially remain within the NHS. The demand that services remain integrated has also been won, with the announcement that for the longer-term contract these services will be commissioned together by the Clinical Commissioning Groups and their partners. However, the campaign is not over yet. The next stage of the process during which the same services will be commissioned for the next 5 or 7 years from 2017 has begun. We must keep the pressure on to protect children's health services in Bristol for the long-term. And now we know it can be done! The next stage of this campaign will focus on bringing all of these services entirely back into the NHS for the long-term. We know private companies are planning to bid to run them. There should not be a role for companies who seek to make a profit or for social enterprises (many of whom operate in a similar way to private companies) in the delivery of our health services. There are two reasons why this campaign is vitally important: Firstly, children and young people in Bristol and South Gloucestershire need to get the best possible care and treatment. This means having services which are integrated and can work together, provided by people who are interested in delivering top quality care, not making maximum profit. Secondly, every time an NHS service in the UK is privatised we are a step closer to a US-style health system which would mean the end of free-at-point-of-need healthcare. The evidence is mounting that this government is not fully committed to a future publicly-owned health service. We are a group of concerned local people, including service users and NHS staff, who understand how damaging the consequences of moving these services to a private provider could be. We think the principle of 'people before profit' in the NHS is fundamental in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and the rest of the UK. Join our campaign at https://www.facebook.com/ProtectCCHP or search 'Protect CCHP' on Twitter for more information.
    6,982 of 7,000 Signatures
    Created by Nathan Williams