Lush UK: Votes For Animals campaign

In 1918 women were first granted the vote.  Although it wasn't an equal progression it was progress nonetheless.  For those who do not know, women campaigned peacefully and violently to be granted the vote and to be able to speak up for a better life.  Groups like NUWSS and the WSPU challenged their lack of voice for years and it is a huge mark on history.  It took 21 recorded years that we know of, of campaigning before change came.

Now 2015, anyone who has seen photos of people dressed like Suffragettes and wearing animal masks like something out of the 2011 You're Next horror movie, must be very intrigued.  Well it is all tied to, in aid and benefit of the "Votes for Animals" campaign.  

The Votes For Animals campaign wishes us to remember our little friends who cannot speak up for their rights for this General Election.  In the run up to elections people usually begin to investigate, little or large, on who should be voted into power.  Many of us will watch live debates - as I have done this past month - to see where certain parties loyalties lie and their proposed promises.  Such an example is free education in Scotland and who wants to continue this system or introduce a money making racket.  Votes for Animals aim for us as voters to determine which party is best for our animals.  To do this we must learn what our local candidates plans are for Animal Welfare and where each political party stands.  And trust me - each party's plans are different.

On the 24th of April I had a sit down with a lovely Lush employee in Lush Buchanan St where we chatted about the campaign and it's purpose.  She explained who we vote into power affects animals just as much as it affects us.  When we make our votes we will think about what we want from our government - minimum wage increase, tax reductions, policies and so forth.  But Lush's new campaign would like us to think of our friends who cannot speak for themselves and do not have a vote.  It's the old chestnut: animals cannot speak for themselves so we must give them a voice.  It's sad though, don't you think? That this has literally become an old chestnut.

We went on to discuss how Lush employees get campaign training to educate them on what the principles of the campaign are, and to further their understanding of charities.  It helps increase awareness from employee to customer. But I clocked something else from this discussion.  With campaign education or training, Lush are not only increasing awareness from employee to customer, but also general awareness overall.  This really impressed me and left me speechless since hypothetically, a Lush employee would go on training and reiterate it to customers in store.  But that is only one part of that individual's life.  They could be a student at college or university, they could be involved in a drama club/organisation or attend an art club where word of mouth turns up the volume.  The campaign training provides the information for employees to become advocates.  They are the water and sunshine that will encourage growth until seeds become plants.  This was proven when Lush marched with the Votes For Animals campaign on the 23rd of April, in a silent protest to the UK Parliament passing Downing Street from Lush Cosmetic's brand new Oxford Street store.  

Involved in the march was Dr Brian May who's organisation (Common Decency) supported Animal Aid, The League Against Cruel Sports, Save Me and Lush employee campaigners.  Wildlife expert Bill Oddie was also involved.  Each organisation rallied at the Lush's Oxford Street store before setting off in protest to the UK Parliament.

Behind #VotesForAnimals are three advocacy groups; 
The League Against Cruel Sports, Animal Aid and Common Decency.  They want us to remember animals from all walks of life - domesticated, wild, in laboratories - affected by the choices we make and who we vote into power.  Arguably the two biggest issues surrounding animals in government are the Hunting Act and the badger cull.  Although 80% of the British public support the Hunting Act (which makes dogs hunting animals illegal since 2004) some political party groups wish to repeal this legislation and legalize hunting once again.  Another divided political opinion is on the Badger Cull. The Badger Cull happens since in the 1970s badgers were identified to be an animal infected with Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB).  This is harmful to farmers, can be caught by human and the cause of thousands of slaughtered cattle.  bTB is a disease hard to eradicate which is why badgers are also being slaughtered.  Uninfected badgers can be vaccinated with the Badger BCG which protects them from bTB, theoretically making killing badgers a sport. Therefore it is a necessity we choose with caution who is voted into power.  

While it is pretty clear which political party has animals in mind, it is of course any person's right to vote who they want to vote and to keep their vote private.  This is what I like about Lush as when I asked which party should Lushies vote the question was deflected.  Instead it was suggested the information was readily available online if I wanted to know the answer.  This is what I'm going to suggest as well.  I would very much like to write which political party is best for animals and I would like to list the pros and cons of each party too - I have done my research.  However, I want to stress that each individuals vote is private and I am not a spokesperson for any political party either.  Nonetheless I am a supporter of Votes For Animals, Lush Cosmetics and I am a blogger. I will conclude this blog post strongly suggesting each person who reads this to do your own research and make your own conclusion.  Below I have listed all the websites you need to learn who is and isn't against improving animal welfare.  And I wish you and all the little furry creatures big and small, the best and most positive outcome with this General Election.

"The lives of domestic pets, farm animals, wildlife and the millions of animals in research laboratories are dictated by decisions made by government. The government that we choose for them!" - Lush Cosmetics UK 

Don't forget to pick up the exclusive charity aiding bath bomb 'May Day' available across UK Lush Stores throughout May and available online now - click here - all profits go to the charities Animal Aid, Save Me and The League Against Cruel Sport.
I'd also like to mention a big thank you to the Lush Buchanan ladies Lousie and Maddie for their time, kindness and patience in support of this blog post.  Thank you!

And thank you for reading!

Click here to go to Votes For Animals official website.
Click here to go to League Against Cruel Sports official website
Click here to go to Animal Aid official website
Click here to go to Common Decency official website

Click here to go to Wintercroft website (the company which makes the masks seen in the march and the badger one I wear above)




Photo credits of the march and forest campaign photos go to Lush Cosmetics Facebook.  They do not belong to me and I in no way take ownership of them.  They are used in evidence and support of this blog post.