021 Matt Hawkins: Putting compassion into politics
Campaigner and co-founder at Compassion in Politics Matt Hawkins is a social and environmental justice campaigner and the co-director of Compassion in Politics - a cross-party organisation working to put compassion, inclusion, and cooperation at the heart of politics. Set up in 2018, the organisation has the support of 50 Uk parliamentarians from six parties and academics and activists including Noam Chomsky Charisse Matthews Helen Pankhurst and Ruby Wax. The Guardian described them as ‘the movement to be hopeful about’. In a political climate as charged as the one we’re seeing now - from Trump’s second impeachment and Biden’s imminent inauguration, coupled with a worldwide pandemic, Brexit and the recent food banks scandal in the UK, compassionate politics sounds like an oxymoron. But Matt and his colleagues are trying to truly put compassion, cooperation and empathy at the heart of politics. In our chat, we consider how human change is igniting political change, and talk about individual responsibility, what each of us can do to make a difference. We consider how change starts with us - both as individuals, but also in how we continue to push the idea that purpose, passion, love and compassion, rather than career, wealth and status are at the heart of what actually makes us thrive. I love the fact that organisations like his exist, as it shines a light on the great parts of our human nature. Matt’s is someone really making good on this individual contribution - he is a bright, incredibly passionate and well-informed young man who made me feel hopeful about the future. I hope this conversation inspires you - and reminds you too of the personal power you have. How you can help: I appreciate just how challenging campaigns like Compassion in Politics are to run. And I know for a fact that Matt has to work other jobs just to keep things going. So I would encourage you to support him, and the work at Compassion in Politics, in any way that you can. You can donate to the campaign here https://www.compassioninpolitics.com/donate - and also support Matt’s anti-online abuse campaign which is seeking donations - https://www.stopthehate.uk/donate.