ROSSENDALE Chartists launched their public charter petition and are now asking candidates to sign up to good practice in Rossendale Council.

Chartists secretary Brenda Wilkinson said: "The local political parties are currently selecting candidates and we want to encourage the right people come forward and be selected.

"When candidates are announced next month, we will be asking them to sign a cheque drawn on the 'Democratic Bank of Rossendale' as a commitment to ensuring good practice in the council.

"We will also ask them to fill in a questionnaire stating how they will do this. The council has had a charter since 1993 that sets out citizens' rights to good practice.

"Nine years later, it has quite clearly failed to meet its charter commitments. Fine words are not enough, it is time for action."

As a run-up to the questionnaire, chartists are gathering signatures on a public petition and distributing a leaflet informing people of the group's work and their charter rights.

Brenda added: "We know that there is widespread concern about how our council has been managed.

"Just like the Chartists in the 1830s, we find that democracy is not working for ordinary people. Unlike our Victorian ancestors, we may have the vote today, but unless political representatives are committed to good practice, our votes are meaningless."