- Conference
- 2014 National Disabled Members' Conference
- Date
- 4 July 2014
- Decision
- Carried
Conference the general election will be held on 7 May 2015. This is the first time we have known so far in advance the exact date of the general election and this gives us the opportunity to campaign for disabled peoples issues to be central to all election campaigns.
When the Police and Crime Commissioner elections were held in 2012 the Northern Region produced a list of pledges that they asked all candidates to commit too to make sure crimes against disabled people were taken seriously and the relevant support was put in place. This was used in the media to highlight the issues faced by disabled people and make the public aware of which candidates were committed to taking action.
This Tory led government’s policies, cuts and so called reforms have had a greater adverse impact on disabled people than any other group. We need to start work now if we are to reverse this situation whatever the outcome of the election.
All Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs) should be asked to sign up to a Disabled People’s Manifesto that includes commitments to:
• make democracy, justice and transport more accessible
• improve health and social care for disabled people
• increase support for disabled people in education and employment;
• complete a programme of disability awareness training
The Manifesto would raise awareness of disabled people’s issues in the media, with all potential MPs and with the public. The Manifesto would also be a tool to make MPs accountable following the election.
This conference calls on National Disabled Members Committee to work with the National Executive Committee to:
1)Develop a Disabled People’s Manifesto that PPCs can commit too to improve equality of opportunity for disabled people
2)Issue guidance to Branches and Regions on how to influence PPCs to sign up to the Disabled People’s Manifesto
3)Work with Labour Link to encourage all Labour PPC’s to sign up to the Disabled People’s Manifesto
4)Launch a media campaign to raise awareness of the Disabled People’s Manifesto and encourage support for PPC’s who sign up to it
5)Encourage all members to contact PPCs in their area asking them to sign up to the Disabled People’s Manifesto