a big day for getting things done

Looking back on the day I've had, it was actually quite a momentous one for me. I finally got around to doing two things that I've been meaning to do for some time now: switching to ethical banking and talking to my MP about issues I care about.

Part One: finally putting my money where my mouth is

Switching to ethical banking may seem like a bit of a no-brainer when you think about it. I currently bank with NatWest. NatWest invest in things I don't agree with like Tar Sands. By banking with them, I am agreeing for my money to be used to fund this sort of project. So how come it has taken me so long to finally switch? I'm not sure if this is just me, but there is something incredibly personal about banking. As I was sitting in the Britannia Branch trying to woo them with my credit score (not easy for a full time volunteer), it felt a lot like I was cheating on my bank. I felt like I was breaking up with them, after over 10 years. And I wasn't even doing it myself – they'd get an electronic message from Britannia telling them I was requesting a switch. It's like breaking up with a long-term partner via email, but you're getting your new boyfriend to send the email... But NatWest isn't my boyfriend so I should just GET OVER IT. I think reason it has taken me so long to switch is that it's hard to relate the friendly face of NatWest that I see when I go into a branch with the dirty investments that are going on behind the scenes. I have to remember that I've also got history with Britannia – I used to save with them and always found the customer service excellent. I felt sad when I shut my accounts due to poor interest and for reasons of convenience (this was before they were taken over by the coop and only operated on a pass book system). So rather than mourning the end of my NatWest relationship, I should be celebrating getting back together with Britannia. Or maybe I should just lighten up and view my banking as more of a fling - Less Mr Right, than Mr Right Now. I'm still hoping that Britannia might just be “the one”...

Part Two: Meeting Mr Barry Sheerman, MP

Another thing I've been meaning to do since I finished my V placement, and the whole V funding stream finished, was to write a letter to someone important about my concerns about future investment in youth volunteering. Since training with Oxfam and being made to feel like anything is possible, I decided that I should arrange a face-to-face meeting with my MP to raise this issue and other things that I care about. This was one of the first things I researched when I got home from the Change weekend but due to the summer break, his next surgery was completely booked up and I would have to wait until the end of October. So the end of October came around (incredibly quickly, it seems) and I prepared for my meeting with Mr Barry Sheerman MP. When I say prepared, it was mostly mental preparation. I was expecting for some reason to be met with some suspicion, possible hostility and I was ready to fight my ground and argue my cause. However, in a scenario I hadn't really played out in my mind, my meeting with Mr Sheerman was an extremely pleasant experience. He and his secretary seemed very interested in my concerns and in hearing about me and my involvement in various projects and background. I also learned a lot about Mr Sheerman's own projects and interests. The very unexpected result of the meeting was that I was invited to shadow Mr Sheerman for two days in his Huddersfield office and for two days in his London office to learn about lobbying. This is something I'm very excited about and it probably wouldn't have happened if I'd just written a letter as originally planned. I guess sometimes there are benefits to putting things off until you can give the issues the attention they deserve! To anyone who has an issue that is close to their hearts and has an angry letter brewing, I'd recommend visiting your MP – and before you go, throw all of your expectations out of the window. I think my view of politics (formed mostly by watching Newsnight, Daily Politics, PMQs and listening to the Today programme) made me think I was heading for an argument. Go in with an open mind and you might just find that your MP is not only friendly, approachable and interesting but also incredibly interested in you and the issues you care about.