John Battle backs Make Poverty History Campaign

John joined Bramley Buffaloes Rugby League Club and the Leeds Co-op to help Make Poverty History.

The Bramley Buffaloes were showing their support for last weekend’s historic Make Poverty History events with a mini Live 8 of their own organised by sponsors Leeds Co-operative Society and attended by John as their local MP, as well as fellow Leeds MPs Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North East, Labour), Colin Burgon (Elmet, Labour) and Colin Challen (Morley & Rothwell, Labour).

The MPs and all of the club’s players signed a giant postcard that will be sent to Prime Minister Tony Blair. One lucky spectator will be delivering the postcard to 10 Downing Street together with local MPs and Co-operative members.

John Battle said, “Make Poverty History is about all the rich nations cancelling the unpayable debts of poor countries and increasing aid, with conditions to make sure the money goes to the poorest. The third aim is fairer trade - at the moment trade rules and subsidies lock poor countries’ goods out of our markets and prevent them making a living. Cows in France and Germany get more subsidy per head than many human beings get to live on in Africa.

“I was confronted in a Stanningley primary school last week with the question “What are you doing to get a school for my friend in Mali?” It’s a real practical challenge – but it is one for all of us in our interdependent world now. Thanks to Leeds Co-op, Bramley Buffaloes and Stanningley ARLFC for hosting today’s event – Make Poverty History has real roots in our local communities and it’s been good to see the strength of them today.”

Whilst the club’s Conference team just missed out on preserving their unbeaten record, losing out 24-16 to a resilient table-topping Wetherby Bulldogs side, the day was pronounced an outstanding success by Leeds Co-operative Society and club chairman Martyn Cheney.

“We’ll definitely be doing this again. We’ve put over a very important message today that there are much much bigger priorities that we all have to address. This is what Bramley Buffaloes is all about. We're a co-operative club that is owned by the community and it's that message of placing the collective above the individual that has to be the central theme of this whole campaign," said Martyn.

Entertainment was provided with some outstanding drumming from Leeds groups Knock on Wood and Tin Pan Alley. Oxfam, Cafod and a number of local organisations were on hand to give out free merchandise and information to almost 500 Buffaloes fans.

John Battle is a Patron of TIDAL (Trade Injustice and Debt Action Leeds).

©John Battle MP 4 July 2005