Church campaign to deliver one-minute messages to Cameron and Clegg

A new campaign launched by the Methodist, Baptist and United Reformed Churches is inviting people to have their say on the state of politics in Britain today by putting a one-minute message to camera.

The My Minute campaign asks people to film what they would say to the Coalition leaders if they had just one minute with them.

It is being launched in the hope of giving people a voice in politics and encouraging political engage.

The Rev Dr Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church, said: “Politics isn’t just for the politicians; it shouldn’t become a closed realm accessible only to the few. Like the Church, politics should be open to everyone. My Minute is about enabling people’s voices to be heard.”

The videos will appear on the My Minute website. Submissions can feature speaking, rapping, singing, praying, miming, dancing or any other creative way people can come up with to convey their message.

Among those to have already filmed their clips for the campaign are controversial gay rights activist Peter Tatchell, who asks for marriage equality for homosexuals, and the President of the Methodist Conference 2010/2011, Alison Tomlin, who calls for a public debate on whether money spent on the nuclear weapons programme Trident could be better spent on other areas like education or healthcare.

Ben Niblett, Head of Campaigns for Tearfund, thanks Cameron and Clegg for keeping up the overseas aid budget, while Mark Dowd, Director of Education and Communications at Operation Noah, who says it is not a time for the Coalition Government to make cuts on environmental measures.

The Rev Dr Kirsty Thorpe, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, said My Minute was a great way for Christians to show they were “in touch” with the major issues facing people in the world today.

“Jesus always helped powerless people to discover their voice – let’s follow his example and speak out – especially on behalf of people whose needs may not otherwise be noticed by our political leaders,” she said.

The three Churches plan to contact Downing Street to let the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister know what people have to say to them.

People who make their own clip are being encouraged to spread the word about their video on Twitter, Facebook and blogging sites.

“Politics should always be about participation,” said the Rev Jonathan Edwards, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

“Our hope is that the passionate convictions of many will find expression through this campaign, and that key messages and concerns will find a response within Government.”

On the web:
Visit the My Minute website at www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/myminute/
Follow the latest videos on Twitter @myminute2010 or using the #myminute hashtag