Dear new Members of Parliament,
The votes have been counted, the dust has settled and the people have spoken. After months of being on the campaign trail, we warmly welcome you to the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
You have been elected and now have great power and responsibility - not just to your constituents, but to the poorest people in our world today.
You have been elected into Parliament in what is a crucial year our people and our planet. There are moments in history that define us, and 2015 is one such moment.
It is the most crucial year in global decision making since the turn of the new millennium; a moment where we could set the path to finally eradicate extreme poverty everywhere.
Extreme poverty is simply an injustice.
You are in a unique position to end this injustice; your actions can change billions of lives. You might be a local MP but your influence is global.
It won’t be easy- the road to the end of extreme poverty is full of challenges, and it’ll take the political will of the Governments from around the world to overcome them.
Sounds like a monumental task- it is. But there are three things you can do right now that will set us on the path to end extreme poverty by 2030.
1. Financing for Development Conference
In July a critical conference will take place. This conference will determine whether the world will put the money on the table needed to end extreme poverty. As a member of Parliament, we ask you to write to returning Chancellor George Osborne, urging him to attend this conference.
2. Corporate Tax Avoidance
Every year, the developing world loses twice as much through tax avoidance than it receives back in aid globally. It’s unfair, unjust and it’s about time it ended. You can ensure that corporations pay their fair share in tax by working in Parliament to introduce a Tax Dodging Bill within the first 100 days of Government. Big corporations are taking advantage of an unfair system that allows them to dodge paying their fair share, benefitting themselves at the expense of the rest of society, including more responsible UK businesses. A bill could raise billions to help tackle poverty here in the UK, and help transform developing countries abroad.
3. We can support you
Meet with organisations like us at The Global Poverty Project. 2015 is a year that could change everything, but only if leaders like yourself take the opportunity to act. It may seem like a huge task, but we’re there to support any MP who wants to make a difference. If you do want to meet us very soon to discuss how we can end extreme poverty together, contact our UK Campaigns Officer at paul.abernethy@globalpovertyproject.com.
The end of extreme poverty could be the our generation's defining moment, our little piece of history. But we need your help to do it. Let’s work together, let’s change billions of lives, let’s end extreme poverty once and for all.
We look forward to meeting with you and working together to end extreme poverty.
Stephen Brown
Director of Europe
The Global Poverty Project