This was an Oxfam hosted teleconference by the talented activist (Adam Askew) who I met when I used to work at Oxfam House in Oxford and a panel of various people. Adam is the main driver for the campaign and this was an excellent and informative call on what the Robin Hood Tax is, how it would be implemented and who it would benefit.
My Notes From the Call:
Massive injustice caused by banking sector. Campaign started 9 months ago. Crisis for banks presents an opportunity for the world.
Tiny tax on banks could benefit poverty in the world.
There is another way, the system does not have to be how it is now.
Got a campaign that is vibrant on the UK.
6 campaigns launched internationally signified by a number of people who suppoer notion and campaign.
Using social media to access campaign stats.
Tomorrow - spending review. Cuts will be on everyone's minds.
Emergency budget cut 6x more from the poorest than the richest.
Political position causes poverty in the UK.
Government blaming those who are well below poverty line for deficit.
People making decisions on whether to close homeless shelter or women's shelter.
Robin Hood can change decisions that are being made.
Will address who we are blaming.
Robin Hood - fair distribution.
Chance for Robin Hood to change, we should put pressure on the Government for this.
Britain can go at it alone eg. stamp duty.
Alistair Darling put a one off bonus tax on profits and renumerations.
Robin Hood - about getting a fair share out of the financial sector.
10 billion more from Government to protect jobs and ensure we meet international development goals.
Paid bt richest people, investment bankers, hedgefunds etc.
Bankers could afford to pay £20 billion a year - fairly taxed.
City is very popular hence wh holding back. Lots of influence in London and Wahsington.
Most popilar tax in history.
The bigger and better campaign the more likey it is to go further.
How will the money from the tax be spent?
1) Fighting poverty at home.
2)Poverty Abroad
3) Tackling devestating effects of climate change.
Can banks afford a tax like this?
Yes- banking 26 times more profitable than any other industry. Very small rate will not affect trade, margins or profits.
0.005% won't hurt business. Has an effect on high frequent trade.
The city is an important part of the UK but talking about tackling casino, very small part.
What can we do?
Lobby - public support.
Actively engage.
Write to MPs.
Issue that has ignited public imagination.
More popular to be an arms dealer than a banker in the UK right now.
Power of hundreds of thousands of voices achieves change.
Need more noise on this issue. 1/4 million people is a brilliant start.
More for people to do and more for people to take it forward.
Try and take over media.
Create a mechanism over time. Get the message out there.
Take over local media then national.
Need to ensure treasury feel the heat, hear our voice and we will hold them to account - lead up to G20.
More details on world AIDS day.
How could a Robin Hood Tax find money to help pay for this?
None of us should lose sight that this is called the Robin Hood Tax.
-Tax the rich
-Help the Poor
-Fight Climate Change.
George Osbourne more interested on taxing profits and bonuses.
More complex than taxing transactions.
Pushing Europeans to reach a compromise and move ahead as Europe.
America unlikely to do one anytime soon.
Chances of global tax slim.
Start with Europe - more positive.
Best and biggest opportunities lie in Europe.
Lots we can do as individuals - campaign.
Keep a dialogue going.
Be a Robin Hood Champion.
Will send materials for events etc.
Doesn't matter where community lies so long as message is being spread.
Getting people to come to website, see videos, sign up to campaign.
We are all a part of this together!
For further information visit the Robin Hood Tax Website
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment