Fairtrade Fortnight starts today, and runs until the 8th March.

For some time now I have been campaigning to make Wandsworth a Fairtrade Borough and working hard to promote Fairtrade products. I have attended and publicised local Fairtrade events and have lobbied the council on this issue many times. 

I have also spoken with senior Members of Parliament about the need to promote Fairtrade to the public, and even questioned Ministers about Fairtrade on the floor of the House of Commons.

What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. Fairtrade is about taking a moral stance against poverty and injustice. 

At the moment Wandsworth is really close to being able to call itself a Fairtrade Borough. It has nearly fulfilled all the requirements; we have an active Fairtrade group who have been organising events, Fairtrade products are available in many cafes and restaurants and many of our schools, churches and businesses set a good example by using Fairtrade products.


All that is needed to make Wandsworth a Fairtrade Borough is the Council’s formal support.

The Council could have played an important part in sending out a strong message and promoting Fairtrade. It could have been the Council to make history earlier this year by making London a Fairtrade City, the largest in world, but another Council has now had that honour. Instead some of our local Councillors missed this opportunity for Wandsworth, and some completely missed the point as well - one Councillor even called Fairtrade ‘immoral’!

But making Wandsworth a Fairtrade Borough could still have a real impact. The Council could promote Fairtrade and it should be a part of their Children and Young People’s plan. 

This is why we need to keep up the pressure to ensure that the Council finally listens to local residents. Please sign my new petition HERE or contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to help out with my campaign. It will only take a minute and could make a big difference.

For more information about Fairtrade locally please visit the Wandsworth Fairtrade Campaign http://www.wandsworthfairtrade.org.uk