You are invited to Migrant Democracy Project's Stormont Campaign Launch.
What is the impact of not having the right to vote?
Migrant Democracy Project has teamed with Act Now NI to answer this exact question. Looking into four case studies of people in the North of Ireland without the right to vote, we explore how people are affected when your voice is ignored purely based on where you were born. On 9th November, we are launching our campaign for Stormont with our North of Ireland community, partner organisations, and MLAs, and you are invited!
74,000 people in Northern Ireland cannot vote in British parliamentary elections, and 12,329 people cannot vote in local elections in Northern Ireland. Scotland and Wales already introduced residence-based voting rights for local and devolved elections, recognising that a true democracy is one that makes no decisions about us, without us. With the North of Ireland having a strong connection to the demand for democratic rights, this is a pertinent issue that Migrant Democracy Project is trying to change.
That is why we launched our first chapter in the North of Ireland this year, and we want Stormont to pass a motion in favour of Votes for All to demonstrate that the North of Ireland, like its Scottish and Welsh counterparts, demands an equal democracy. At the event, we will be inviting and asking our MLAs for their support for this motion.
Once you have signed up here, we will email you to invite your MLAs to the event with a template letter provided. When you send them this email, you will be added to the guest list! We can't wait to see you there.
Refreshments will be provided. Dress code is smart casual. Travel support available upon request.
🧶 Spinning your story: Our chapter leaders in Belfast will be hosting an interim meeting at Crúca Crafts called "Spinning Your Story" to support you with how to chat with your MLA on the day about Votes for All. Our chapter leaders Nina and Raissa are leaders from our MDP Spokesperson programme, and will be sharing some tips with you that they have learnt through our training. We are here to support you! Your representatives' job is to listen to their constituents concerns - you don't need to be an expert, your story is your superpower.
