On Saturday, October 20th,
the streets of London were once again filled with red flags and
colourful trade union banners as 130,000 workers and youth from all over the
country marched against the austerity policies of the LibDem-Tory
coalition government.
On Saturday, October 20th,
the streets of London were once again filled with red flags and
colourful trade union banners as 130,000 workers and youth from all over the
country marched against the austerity policies of the LibDem-Tory
coalition government.
Photo: flickrenricThe
demonstration, which had been called by the TUC, marked a new stage in
the struggle of British labour against the increasingly vicious attacks
on living standards. There were big contingents from the main unions:
UNITE, UNISON, PCS, RMT, NUT and GMB. There was also a large number of
young people: students and working class youth.
From early in the morning protesters started arriving on coaches and
trains from all parts of England and Wales. Separate demonstrations were
held in Glasgow and Belfast where thousands participated.
Many people carried placards attacking the Tories and LibDems,
frequently making humorous references to the comments of the former Tory
Chief Whip, Andrew Mitchell, who was recently forced to resign after an
altercation with a police man who he allegedly called a pleb and a
moron. Quite a few placards carried slogans like “I would rather be a
pleb than a toff” and “proud to be a pleb”.
seriously, there were many placards calling for a general strike. This
demand expressed the real mood of anger that is building up in the
rank-and-file, not just against the government but against trade union
leaders who are widely perceived to be dragging their feet and not
mobilising the full strength of the labour movement to defeat the
government.
To tell the truth, the demonstration, although one of the biggest in
recent times, was not as big as the demonstration a year and a half ago.
This fact undoubtedly reflects a certain mood of frustration and
discontent among rank-and-file trade unionists at the inactivity of
their leaders. In particular, the calling off of the national action by
the PCS in the spring poured cold water over the spirits of the
activists who were expecting the union to take a lead.
working class is not a water tap that can be turned on and off at the
will of the leadership. What is required is a sustained and consistent
campaign of action aimed to overthrow the reactionary and anti-working
class government. Nothing less can serve to halt the vicious attacks
against living standards which are dictated by the crisis of capitalism.
Marches and demonstrations are useful as a means of mobilising the
class and allowing the workers to feel their collective strength.
However, they are of limited use in forcing a government to change
course and moreover can lose effect through constant repetition. That is
why the idea of a general strike is gathering strength at rank-and-file
level. All the attempts of union leaders to persuade the government to
modify its stand by so called moderation are doomed to fail. Every step
backwards will only embolden the Tories and their LibDem cronies to make
further attacks.
The general council of the TUC has supported a motion calling for an
investigation into the possibilities of holding a general strike,
something that was echoed by speakers at the rally that followed the
demonstration. This shows that pressure is building up at rank-and-file
level. The pressure must be kept up. We say to the TUC: deeds not words!
What is necessary is not an investigation into the possibility of a
general strike but to name a date and prepare a mass campaign of
agitation for a one day general strike.
only way to defend jobs and living standards is to the kick out the
Tories and LibDems. We stand for the election of a Labour government
pledged to reversing all Tory cuts and to introduce policies in the
interests of the working class. What is not acceptable is the
pro-business policies of the present Labour Party leadership, which were
yet again repeated in the sorry performance by Ed Miliband in Hyde Park
last Saturday. He was soundly booed for his pains, and in our opinion
he got what he deserved.
It is high time that the rank-and-file took control of the labour
movement into its own hands. If trade union leaders are not prepared to
fight seriously for the interests of the working class, they should be
removed and replaced by people who are. Likewise, the Labour Party,
which was set up by the trade unions, must clearly defend the interests
of the people who vote for it. Len McCluskey has called on workers to
take back the Labour Party. This call needs to be translated into
action. It is time to take a big broom and sweep out the careerists and
right-wingers who infest the Labour Party and ensure that it fights for
the working class and socialism.
Last Saturday also saw the most successful intervention ever by supporters of the Socialist Appeal. Over 50 comrades were selling the paper and there were a total of 9 stalls selling our books and pamphlets.
