News OnTheWight always welcomes a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below.
This from Julie Hutchison, Ventnor. Ed
I have tried several times to get in touch with Isle of Wight Festival and Solo regarding the Festival’s payment sponsors, Barclaycard, and have not received a reply.
It’s because of their lack of response that I have decided to write this Open Letter, in the hope that they will provide a response.
The ‘worst investor in Fossil Fuels’ in Europe
The Festival have Barclaycard as their official Payment Partner. I’ve asked if they are aware that Greenpeace say Barclays are still ‘the worst investor in fossil fuels’ in Europe.
By choosing Barclaycard as a Payment Partner, they are effectively endorsing the Bank’s business.
Young people will suffer the most
I find it concerning that the people who the Festival are targeting, being young people, are the ones who will suffer the most in the future from rising temperatures.
Activists have been working for years to pressure Barclays to stop funding fossil fuel extraction.
The Greenpeace video below explains what involvement banks have in the Climate Crisis.
What does being a Payment Sponsor involve?
I’d like to know what being a Payment Sponsor involves – does this mean that all of the Festival’s banking is done through Barclays?
Does the Festival get paid by Barclays for being a Payment Partner? If so, what revenue do the Festival make from this?
Would Isle of Wight Festival consider moving payments to a different bank, if they currently bank with Barclays?
A duty of care regarding who it chooses to do business with
As a major event that is internationally recognised, Isle of Wight Festival has a duty of care regarding who it chooses to do business with.
People increasingly want action on the Climate and Ecological Emergency, and where Government continue to grant oil licences and clamp down on peaceful protest, businesses have an important role to play.
Choosing more ethically sets a public standard
By Isle of Wight Festival taking action and choosing a more ethical bank to be a Payment Partner, not only are they diverting money away from fossil fuels, they are setting a public standard.
Ethical banks invest in our collective future.
