Successful Campaigns

Yesterday four of our group spoke in front of a full Edinburgh Councillor meeting and handed in all your signatures to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh. The council then debated the issue and voted on what to do next. We are absolutely delighted to report that the council voted overwhelmingly to continue Edinburgh Childcare 4 All, and so we have won!!! We're due a full investigation and report into how this happened , guaranteed funding for children currently in the scheme and, importantly, a guarantee that the scheme remains open to new applicants! For all of us this was never just about our individual children. Because we know how vital this support is to vulnerable children and their families, we are so relieved that more kids and communities will now get to benefit! Edinburgh remains a shining light in inclusive practise and can be proud of the example it is setting to the rest of the country. If you are interested to watch our deputation and the petition hand in, a recording is available on this website. https://edinburgh.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/801091 Our speeches and the hand-in begin at 1 hour 5 mins and the debate and vote begin at 3 hours 49 minutes. We couldn't have won this without you all sharing this petition and emailing your councillors. You really made a huge difference by putting pressure on when it counted. Thank you for your time and energy! We will keep the petition open for now while we hold Edinburgh Council to account and make sure they keep their promises. You'll hear from us again if we need you to put the pressure on again. But just now we can all celebrate! Woo Hoo! From all of us in our Keep Edinburgh Childcare4all group - thank you from the bottom of our hearts! PS - Here's a news report from yesterday https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/parents-demand-edinburgh-council-restart-27630509?int_source=nba

Dear all We hope you are well. We are so happy to report that as of 4.30pm this afternoon, the Woodman is now open for drinks. They are still working on bringing us food but we are sure you will join us in celebrating this mega milestone. Hope to see you there soon for a drink. Best wishes Polly and David

09/01/24 - We did it! Ex-Post Office boss Paula Vennells has bowed to our 1.2 million strong petition and will hand back her CBE with immediate effect. She said she was “truly sorry for the devastation caused to the subpostmasters and their families” and that she as continuing to support and co-operate with the inquiry into the scandal. She added: “I am, however, aware of the calls from sub-postmasters and others to return my CBE. I have listened and I confirm that I return my CBE with immediate effect.” David Smith, who started this petition said: "Thank you to each and every person who has signed this petition. It has been a catalyst for action allowing us to have a voice and is hopefully a first historic step on the path to the victims of the Post Office scandal getting the justice they deserve." “To me, the removal of the CBE is just the start. The ultimate goal is for the subpostmasters to get the justice they deserve. In many ways, this is symbolic, but it is a massive symbol." “What I’m hoping is that as soon as somebody as senior as her is held accountable at this level, it will start a domino effect that will lead to the justice and compensation that everyone affected deserves.” You can read more about the story here https://home.38degrees.org.uk/2024/01/09/post-office-scandal-win-paula-vennells-hands-back-cbe-but-fight-for-justice-goes-on/ In other news a new petition has been started calling for Alan Bates to be honoured for his role in exposing the Post Office scandal. You can sign that here https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/give-alan-bates-a-cbe-for-exposing-post-office-scandal

07/09/23 - We Won! Following pressure from our campaign, The Government has confirmed that the UK will re-join the EU's flagship scientific research scheme. Congratulations to everyone who signed. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66737714

We won! Incredibly, our campaigning seems to be working: in 2023 the Duchy of Cornwall agreed to our petition to expand Dartmoor’s temperate rainforest. The Crown Estate (the biggest of the Royal Estates) announced its first ever beaver release. And now, the unthinkable: even the king’s beloved Balmoral, once a bastion of bloodsports, is set to get its first rewilding project. https://www.wildcard.land/rewild-the-royals.html ​Read our Guardian article celebrating our successes here. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/28/revolt-royals-rewilding-rainforest-beaver-balmoral

19/09/23: New petrol price information shows that supermarkets are no longer overcharging for petrol. Well done to everyone who signed the petition! https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/petrol-prices-uk-government-figures-data-cost-disparity-zqw53th5h

Gary Lineker has been reinstated by the BBC https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/gary-lineker-reinstated-bbc-victory-29439792

The £2 fare cap has been extended and a further £80m has been made available to support critical bus services in England! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64678990

The white paper was published! But there is still work to be done https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/apr/26/gambling-uk-white-paper-online-casinos

Update 13/11/23 Following widespread public anger, including our petition, Rishi Sunak has sacked Suella Braverman as Home Secretary https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67401753