The Oasis charity is calling for 5,000 people to change their first name to 'Hope' – just for one day.
The campaign is aimed at reminding policians in the run-up to the general election that there is "hope for every person and every community". It also seeks to encourage them to keep their campaigns free from name-calling and abuse.
According to Oasis, while a permanent name change usually happens through Deed Poll, to assume a different identity requires only a public declaration. A link on the charity's website allows supporters to change their name for 24 hours on April 22, reverting to their previous name on April 23.
Once supporters have signed up, they will be asked to contact the candidates in their constituencies to encourage them to sign up to the 'Politicians' Pledge' – a commitment to run a positive campaign in the run up to the May 7 election.
The pledge will commit those who sign to avoid patronising, dehumanising, stigmatizing and judgmental language when referring to social issues and to avoid personal attacks and irrelevant debate.
Oasis founder Steve Chalke said: "In the UK we're fortunate to live in a democracy, yet when elections approach the party bickering and back-biting just causes people irritation and creates an impression of irrelevance. We're grateful to our politicians for their decision to serve the public but are asking them to think twice before they do, write or say anything this election."
He continued: "Healthy and robust debate is both important and welcome; but quite frankly if young people at our schools spoke to each other the way some politicians do, we would have to talk to them about their attitude."
Oasis has campaigned against TV series such as Benefits Street and Skint, which it says have used dehumanising language about entire communities. Chalke said: "The way social issues are addressed in aspects of the media is totally patronising and unacceptable. Our political leaders need to make sure they don't fall into anything approaching the same trap."
