You've got one minute with Cameron and Clegg: what would you say?
The Methodist Church, Baptist Union of Great Britain and UnitedReformed Church have launched a video campaign asking people whatthey would say if they had just one minute with David Cameron andNick Clegg.
The MyMinute campaign launched today aims to give people a voice inpolitics and encourage political engagement. Participants cancommunicate their message to camera however they choose - speaking,rapping, singing, praying, miming, dancing or holding up picturesor signs. The three Churches are asking people to email the link totheir video as soon as they have uploaded it to a video sharingsite, such as YouTube or Vimeo. Videos will then be featured on themy minute website.
Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church,said: "Politics isn't just for the politicians; it shouldn't becomea closed realm accessible only to the few. Like the Church,politics should be open to everyone. My Minute is about enablingpeople's voices to be heard."
Human rights activist Peter Tatchell and award-winning broadcasterMark Dowd have already filmed their My Minute videos. "2010 so faris the hottest year on record in terms of planetary temperatures,"said Mark, Director of Education and Communications at OperationNoah. "This is not a time to make cuts."
The Revd Dr Kirsty Thorpe, Moderator of the General Assembly of theUnited Reformed Church, said: "My Minute is a great way for thoseof us in the Churches to show we're in touch with the major issuesfacing people in today's world. Jesus always helped powerlesspeople to discover their voice - let's follow his example and speakout - especially on behalf of people whose needs may not otherwisebe noticed by our political leaders."
People are being encouraged to tell others about their My Minutevideo via Facebook, Twitter and blogging sites. People can alsocheck out the latest videos by following @myminute2010 on Twitteror using the #myminute hashtag. The three Churches will becontacting Number 10 Downing Street to let the Prime Minister andhis deputy know what people want to say to them.
"Politics should always be about participation," said Revd JonathanEdwards, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain."Our hope is that the passionate convictions of many will findexpression through this campaign, and that key messages andconcerns will find a response within Government."