Saturday, September 21FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA, PALESTINE WILL BE FREE
UK up to a Robin Hood Tax,
Dear All,
What will David Cameron do next Thursday when he meets other world leaders? Will he sign the UK up to a Robin Hood Tax, to raise billions for the world’s poorest people and reduce reckless gambling by banks? [1] Or will he try to block it?
It looks like it could go either way. So far David Cameron has opposed a Robin Hood Tax. [2] But more and more governments are signing up – Cameron doesn’t want to look isolated on the international stage.
A big petition in the UK this week could tip the balance globally. Over 100 organisations, including 38 Degrees, Oxfam, Save the Children and the RSPB, are working together to deliver as many messages to David Cameron as possible. [3]
The Robin Hood Tax would rein in banks’ reckless gambling with our money. And the money raised could reduce poverty, improve public services and help get climate change under control. It’s backed by millions of people across the world, dozens of world leaders, and over 100 organisations in the UK.
British bankers have been leaning on David Cameron to block the tax. But together, we can make sure the UK doesn’t stop these plans going forward. [4] If enough of us tell David Cameron we want the UK to play a positive role, he will think twice about blocking the Robin Hood Tax at next week’s global meeting.
38 Degrees members first decided to support the call for a Robin Hood Tax over a year ago. We know that banks played a massive role in causing our economic crisis. We need new measures to rein in their riskiest habits and make sure they make a fair contribution.
Since then, around the world the pressure has grown. In more and more countries, people power has helped persuade leaders to sign up to the plan. [5] Now, we have an important role to play here in the UK. We need to make sure our Prime Minister isn’t the one who blocks progress at next week’s global meeting.
