CAATnews Oct/Nov 2005 - Information

Revolving door campaign update

CAAT's Call the Shots campaign is calling for arms companies to be taken out of government. It aims to sever the close relationship between the government and the arms industry, through highlighting three key ways that arms companies are influencing government policy. The first phase, launched earlier this year, has focused on the "revolving door" between the government and the arms industry, which gives arms companies direct access to the heart of government. In January 2006 this phase will give way to phase two, which will focus on closing the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO), the government's arms sales unit.

Throughout the three campaign phases we need to continue to raise political awareness of this issue if we are to successfully damage this insidious relationship. So far, revolving door postcards have been sent to over half of the UK's MPs. This is fantastic, especially as this is the first popular campaign of its kind and highlights an issue that is new to many MPs. Moreover, many MPs have passed on their constituents. concerns to John Hutton and other government ministers.

We'd like to double the number of postcards that have been sent to MPs so far and ensure that every MP has heard about this important issue. There are three ways you could help us to achieve this over the coming months.

1. Take part in the UK-wide day of action to lock the revolving door - Saturday 26th November
Join others around the UK on 26th November in taking action locally to lock the revolving door. This is an opportunity to get thousands of Call the Shots postcards, petitions and keys signed and to raise the profile of the campaign in the local media.

We hope 26th November will see a wide variety of actions taking place around the UK. The revolving door lends itself nicely to visual stunts and creative actions. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you have a stall with Call the Shots resources to hand. And please let us know your plans.

The following are some ideas generated at CAAT's national gathering last year:

• Make a mock-up revolving door. Remember that it doesn't have to be life-size!
   
• Use street theatre, a chalk line on the ground and lots of big stick-on cards to show the ease with which staff can move between the Government and arms companies, accumulating "influence", "contacts", "power", "big salary".
   
• Play "hopskotch" by jumping between the arms industry and the Government.
   
• Make a giant prop of a key. Ideas have included papier mache and inflatable versions!
   
• Make a big seaside-style board with two head holes for the government and the arms industry.
   
• Do some street theatre around a real-life revolving door in your area.
   

2. Organise a revolving door campaign day in your area
Holding a campaign day is an easy way to get lots of Call the Shots postcards, keys and petitions signed. All you basically need is a stall, some Call the Shots petitions and postcards, and a few willing volunteers with clipboards. (Info on "How to organise a campaign day" is available from the CAAT office.)

3. Distribute postcards and petitions in your groups and networks
Contact CAAT's Office Co-ordinator for Call the Shots resources. And don't forget to keep an eye on the Call the Shots website - it now has a section detailing new "revolvers" as they emerge (www.calltheshots.org). And please keep sending your news, ideas or feedback on the campaign.
BECCIE D.CUNHA

The figures so far...

• 734 "lock the revolving door" postcards have been sent to MPs.
   
• 340 MPs have received at least one of these postcards - some have received up to 15.
   
• Over 2000 people have signed the petition to take the arms companies out of government