Protecting Animals in Democracy Website
We all know where the main political parties stand on education, defence and the NHS. How many of us, though, know where they stand on the thorny issue of animal rights? Prior to the 2005 General Election, the answer would probably be 'none'!
Uncaged Campaigns asked us to create a pioneering new lobbying tool for the 2005 election. This tool came in the form of a website, where voters could see where the candidates in their consituency stood on animal rights issues.
Uncaged sent a questionnaire to every candidate in the UK. They were asked to give their opinion on six key animal issues, and their responses were recorded in a database. Voters could then visit the website, type in their postcode, and see a list of their candidates along with their response to the questionnaire. If the candidate had not responded, the voter could click a button to send them an email asking for their response.
The result was fantastic, and for the first time ever voters could take animal issues into account when voting. The importance of the project was recognised by the British Library, who have recorded it in their archives as an 'invaluable primary source material for current and future political science researchers'.
Since the election the Protecting Animals in Democracy website has been adapted to show MP's voting behaviour on animal related issues. The lobbying facilities remain, allowing constituents to contact their MP at the touch of a button.
You can look your own MP up on Protecting Animals in Democracy at www.vote4animals.org.uk.