Archive for the 'Get involved' Category

Taking the battle to Parliament

Published
by
Campaignmanager
on April 1, 2008
in Campaign update and Get involved
. 0 Comments

It’s not been an easy ride for our team of Time Out journalists and volunteers, but after four weeks we’ve done it: successfully raised the £10,000 minimum required to stand for Mayor of London. We’ve also collected the 330 signatures of registered voters from 33 boroughs (ten per borough) every candidate must supply. Great, lets stand for Mayor of London then…

Well, actually, let’s not. This campaign was never just about Michael Hodges becoming Mayor, it was about putting your concerns on the Mayoral agenda and fighting an electoral system that is inherently unfair and undemocratic. That’s why we opened up the pages of Time Out, and this website, so you could help us shape what is truly a people’s manifesto. Your manifesto. To be honest, we were staggered by how much passion, verve and imagination you mustered for this particular cause. We also learned that you don’t necessarily want grand or radical policies but the small and simple things which, if implemented, would improve life in this city immensely.

Every turn of this campaign seemed to reveal uncomfortable truths about London democracy. Gathering the required signatures was hard enough for us, a well-staffed weekly magazine, but for ordinary Londoners wishing to stand as independent candidates, it’s almost impossible. Political parties get access to the electoral rolls for every London borough. They also have teams of party workers who are paid to go out and chase the signatures. Is this any way to run a genuinely democratic city?

We are proposing an early day motion in the House of Commons, which will call for an end to discriminatory barriers that prevent Londoners like you contributing to the running of your own city. So, although we have qualified to enter the race, we are withdrawing from the official election, but fighting on against the system that’s let you – and London – down.

The Time Out Mayoral campaign stops but the people’s manifesto lives on. And to ensure it does, we will be putting its key demands to each of the main candidates over the coming weeks.

We hope they listen to you. To find out more, and to get involved, visit the Time Out site.

Gordon Thomson, editor of Time Out, and Michael Hodges, Time Out Mayoral candidate

Hodges at On The Up - Video + Photo Gallery

Published
by
admin
on March 3, 2008
in Events and Get involved
. 0 Comments

Picture 1Picture 2Picture 3Picture 4Picture 5Picture 6

It might have been the large brandy I took to keep out the cold but as I stepped on stage at the Carling Academy last night - half way through Time Out’s On The Up gig - I felt a definite rush of enthusiasm from a large and vociferous crowd that had come to see three new bands rather than a bloke with a ‘vote for me’ sticker. There was cheering and clapping even, especially when I brought up our key manifesto commitment to keep London’s venues open. Other candidates talk about London’s vital financial sector but Time Out readers know that London’s cultural endeavours are just as important.

Click on the thumbnails and up pops a larger version of me in full flow or watch my, erm, flattering video below.

Photo credit: David Axelbank

Cake challenge video

Published
by
admin
on February 29, 2008
in Campaign update and Get involved
. 1 Comment

Here it is! The hotly-anticipated lo-fi film of the Time Out Cake Challenge which brought chaos to Oxford Street and gave a huge boost to the Hodge’s campaign. We raised some money, made some new friends and most importantly spread our message to the people who really matter - ordinary Londoners. Watch the footage of us doing what we do best - saving the city from politicians and handing out free cake.

Press Gazette publicises campaign

Published
by
admin
on February 29, 2008
in Campaign update and Get involved
. 0 Comments

Well, it seems all the major press are getting word of my campaign. Respected industry magazine, Press Gazette ran a feature on my Mayoral activities, and in particular my stance against the litter-causing London freesheets. Read Press Gazette article

They have yet to come out fully in support of my candidacy but seem to be getting behind the cause and there’s also an article on their breaking news blog, The Wire which includes a handy link to help you part with your all hard-earned pennies and make a donation. With your help we can reach the magical £10,000 mark. Read more here

We need your ideas

Published
by
Campaignmanager
on February 27, 2008
in Campaign update and Get involved
. 8 Comments

Here at the throbbing centre of the Time Out mayoral campaign donations continue to come in but, more importantly, so do your ideas.

Remember – the other candidates, whatever their politics, are telling Londoners what they need, but we are asking Londoners what they want.

This is a truly democratic campaign because you get to write the manifesto. So please, keep your ideas for the London you want to see coming in. Every suggestion, like every pound you pledge, makes our city better.

To help shape our manifesto, go here.

Michael Hodges
Candidate for Mayor of London