The public response to media coverage of the referendum has been tremendously positive for the People's Choice Vote No campaign following appearences on Local Radio and BBC One's Politics Show. Campaign supporter Tom Reynolds said: "I think the vote No campaigners are winning the debate in the run up to polling. It is a far simpler and more sensible arguement - don't give away your say!"
Campaign chair Paul Breeze continues the battle with the following article from The Sentinel:
People's Choice Vote NO campainers Paul Breeze, Mohammed Pervez, Tom Reynolds and Zulfigar Ali made an appearance on Radio Ramadan on Tuesday 30th September to talk about October 23rd's important referendum vote on the future governance of the city. As well as wishing all of the Muslim Community a very happy Eid, the campaigners also urged listeners to turn out and VOTE NO. Speaking on the Station's Prime Time show, Dr Zulfigar Ali said : "This is about not going back to the days when only 60 councillors chose who run the council, but looking forward to a future where 186,000 residents of the city pick the Elected Mayor".
Campaign Organiser Paul Breeze, along with a host of People's Choice Campaigners have started taking to the streets and getting the word out to Vote NO on October 23rd's referendum. Leaflets were handed out in Hanley on Saturday 13th and the team campaigned at Vale Park and the Love Music Hate Racism Event on Saturday 20th. Organiser Paul Breeze said "Its about getting the word out to as many people as possible. So far me and the rest of the team have had a great reaction from people. The message is clear, keep your vote by voting NO in the referendum".
On September 11th 2008 People's Choice Launched the Vote NO campaign at the Hope Centre in Hanley. Here is and extract from Organiser Paul Breeze's Speech from the event:
"THE SIMPLE QUESTIONS TO BEAR IN MIND ON OCTOBER 23 rd ARE: DO YOU WANT TO LOSE YOUR VOTE? NO DO YOU WANT JUST COUNCILLORS TO CHOOSE WHO RUNS OUR CITY? NO. DO YOU WANT THIS CITY TO GO BACKWARDS AND RETURN TO THE DARK OLD DAYS? NO.
IF YOUR ANSWER TO THOSE QUESTIONS IS ALSO NO THEN I HOPE YOU’LL JOIN THIS CAMPAIGN AND KEEP THE POWER IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE OF OUR CITY."