My first Socialism
Having been a member of the socialist party coming up for a year now. I’ve enjoyed and got a lot out of being in the party already. I have met some great comrades and helped out where I can. I’ve been involved in some great campaigns. Not least the Jarrow march organising for the Hertfordshire leg of the march.
This weekend was the climax of a fantastic historic march which recreated the original march in 1936. In much the same spirit of the original march the march of 2011 was excellent and helped to raise consciousness of the cuts being pushed through by this vicious con-dem government and its new labour collaborators.
I missed socialism last year as I was still in the process of joining the party but to any new or potential member socialism 2011 was the pinnacle of political debate discussion and ideas. For all who work so hard to put on such a fantastic event many thanks need to go to you. A superb social in the evening was preceded by an excellent uplifting rally with several standing ovations for the speakers. If I’m right in saying this is not a common thing at socialism. So it is testament to the feeling out there and a desire for leadership and direction that workers and visitors lapped it up. The atmosphere in the rally at Camden Friends meeting house was electric. Brilliantly chaired by Sarah Sachs-Eldridge who was inspirational herself having completed part of the Jarrow March earlier on in October.
The rally also saw Irish TD Clare Daly speak very well about the struggles of a country being hit hard by austerity in Ireland and how the government over there can find money for more bank bailouts but none for decent jobs and services for ordinary working people.
We also heard from Peter Taaffe who with his own unique brand of humour mixed with razor sharp political analysis detailed the current situation facing working people in Britain today. His woodpecker analogy for Ed Miliband and those inside the labour party who were pecking away at the hollow tree was very apt and was met with great laughter from the hall.
I could not make the Sunday sessions myself but I understand there were more excellent debates and discussions at ULU in London. The weekend long event was summed up with another rally on the Sunday afternoon with Coventry City councillor Dave Nellist who proudly stated he opposes all cuts and has stood by that and voted against all cuts as a elected representative of the socialist party. Dave noted that Labour hadn’t always been a rotten party and he himself was a Labour Mp in the 80’s along with Terry Fields who opposed cuts from the Tory government at the time headed by Margret Thatcher. Dave recounted the time he ripped up a Tory speech announcing cuts. When labour had principles good honest working class fighters like Dave were more common.
One of the biggest messages coming away from socialism 2011 was the lack of political representation for workers. With Labour pledging 6000 thousand pound tuition fees and slightly less cuts than the Tories the need for an alternative is greater than ever for socialists.
The standard of speech's was fantastic other speech's included one of the occupiers from London and Wall Street who had especially flown over. As socialists we will always defend the right to protest. Attempts by the media and police to break up the occupations at St Pauls has been met with strong resistance and has put pressure on the church to support the protesters aims. It was fascinating to listen to some of the occupiers and their experiences of being in occupation and the in's and out's of how it all works.
The event and the socialist party sent solidarity to all those who had been kettled taht night in parliament square who had marched from St Pauls to put their calls for a fairer society across to a wider population of people.
The whole weekend was full of really great discussion all very democratic of course. In the smaller meetings on different topics such as introducing Marxism, what role can the socialist party play in the anti cuts movement, The future for Libya , The arab spring and beyond and many many more were all opportunities for comrades to get involved and join in the debate.
As socialists we believe in the highest form of democracy and democracy must be the lifeline of a future socialist society.
I'd urge anyone who is interested in socialism and Marxism and would like to learn more do check out our party website at
www.socialistparty.org.uk and join the fightback today!
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Showing posts with label Jarrow march. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jarrow march. Show all posts
Monday, 7 November 2011
Spirit of Jarrow march must be taken forward
As the fantastic historic recreation of the Jarrow March concludes last weekend the sense of solidarity and pride in the working class has grown in me than never before. The power that we have as a collective force can be realised and put into action .
The support the Jarrow marchers recieved from trade unions and trade union branch's up and down the country was outstanding but this cant just be the end. We must harness the spirit of the march and push the struggle forward.
I myself met the marchers last week in Luton, Hatfield and now just recently last weekend in London in Trafalgur square. The feeling of solidarity and togetherness was amazing i've never felt anything like it i have to say. The young people marching fora future programme of jobs and a free, decent education for socailly useful jobs and a end to the dreaded work scheme.
The next big event coming up is November the 9th. A national student demonstration marching to the city from all the different London universities. Aswell as teh fantastic Jarrow march it would be great to get a good turn out for this too. I cant make this demo myself but wish all those who are planning to go all the best and to stay safe.
But the youth who were involved in the Jarrow march and all those who came out to support the march should make sure they are visible on the November the 30th public sector general strike. It is important there is teh biggest unity of the working class on that day. If your teacher or university or college lectuer is striking join them on the picket lines and walk out in solidarity. We will not be divided lets show this rotten con-dem government that we are strong when we are united than when we give in to divide and rule.
The fact that the governments so called improved pensions offer still requires public sector workers to still work for longer, pay more and get less even still is a offer we simply have to refuse and urge all unions to stand firm and strike together . Mark Serwotka explained this very well on Channel 4 news last week. We need more union leaders like Mark to hold a strong arguement and destroy the myths this government and its media barrons are sending out.
But the feeling that the youth are our future must be taken up. They really are its a chance to let them show the way. That have lead the fightback right from the start.
Being the first group in society to come out in protest last winter with the amazing demonstrations against tuitian fees huge numbers of students who felt betrayed and badly let down by this con-dem government . I sense the same level of anger and frustration today if not more.
With almost a million young people b etween the ages of 16 and 24 out of a job and not in education or training. It is a outrage and a disgrace that this government can be wanting public sector workers to work for longer with a million youth unemployed. Its a contradiction in this capitalist system that they'd rather elder workers to work for longer than help young people into a job.
Their idea to turn workers against the youth will not work. The Jarrow marchers have shown a amazing determination to fightback and stand up to this government. Their slogan "we will not be a lost generation" sticks in my mind certainly that they mean what they say. I think we should pay tribute to these marchers who have got together and done something constructive instead of turning to crime and rioting.
Its time to get organised channel that anger into a organised fightback. Nothing in the world can stop the power of the organised working class when we unite and stand together. Lets encourage our unions and fellow trade unionists to get the biggest turn out possible for N30 and make this the start of a co-ordinated fightback on this government.
Let youth have a chance and dont ruin their chances before they even start!
The support the Jarrow marchers recieved from trade unions and trade union branch's up and down the country was outstanding but this cant just be the end. We must harness the spirit of the march and push the struggle forward.
I myself met the marchers last week in Luton, Hatfield and now just recently last weekend in London in Trafalgur square. The feeling of solidarity and togetherness was amazing i've never felt anything like it i have to say. The young people marching fora future programme of jobs and a free, decent education for socailly useful jobs and a end to the dreaded work scheme.
The next big event coming up is November the 9th. A national student demonstration marching to the city from all the different London universities. Aswell as teh fantastic Jarrow march it would be great to get a good turn out for this too. I cant make this demo myself but wish all those who are planning to go all the best and to stay safe.
But the youth who were involved in the Jarrow march and all those who came out to support the march should make sure they are visible on the November the 30th public sector general strike. It is important there is teh biggest unity of the working class on that day. If your teacher or university or college lectuer is striking join them on the picket lines and walk out in solidarity. We will not be divided lets show this rotten con-dem government that we are strong when we are united than when we give in to divide and rule.
The fact that the governments so called improved pensions offer still requires public sector workers to still work for longer, pay more and get less even still is a offer we simply have to refuse and urge all unions to stand firm and strike together . Mark Serwotka explained this very well on Channel 4 news last week. We need more union leaders like Mark to hold a strong arguement and destroy the myths this government and its media barrons are sending out.
But the feeling that the youth are our future must be taken up. They really are its a chance to let them show the way. That have lead the fightback right from the start.
Being the first group in society to come out in protest last winter with the amazing demonstrations against tuitian fees huge numbers of students who felt betrayed and badly let down by this con-dem government . I sense the same level of anger and frustration today if not more.
With almost a million young people b etween the ages of 16 and 24 out of a job and not in education or training. It is a outrage and a disgrace that this government can be wanting public sector workers to work for longer with a million youth unemployed. Its a contradiction in this capitalist system that they'd rather elder workers to work for longer than help young people into a job.
Their idea to turn workers against the youth will not work. The Jarrow marchers have shown a amazing determination to fightback and stand up to this government. Their slogan "we will not be a lost generation" sticks in my mind certainly that they mean what they say. I think we should pay tribute to these marchers who have got together and done something constructive instead of turning to crime and rioting.
Its time to get organised channel that anger into a organised fightback. Nothing in the world can stop the power of the organised working class when we unite and stand together. Lets encourage our unions and fellow trade unionists to get the biggest turn out possible for N30 and make this the start of a co-ordinated fightback on this government.
Let youth have a chance and dont ruin their chances before they even start!
Friday, 4 November 2011
Join the fightback, come to socialism 2011 this weekend !
Whether you have been a socialist for many years or are new to socialist ideas, Socialism 2011 has something for you! The sessions are designed for beginners, those who have been around sometime, and anyone in-between - everyone will get something out of this event.
Following the Youth Fight for Jobs Jarrow March's finishing rally in Trafalgar Square, Socialism 2011 starts on Saturday 5 November. It is the opportunity to find the answer to today's big question: Capitalism has failed - but what do we replace it with?
After the first set of discussion sessions, the rally at Friends Meeting House in the evening will put into context the fight we have in Britain and around the world, in an upbeat and uplifting way. We can also party hard into the night at the Camden Centre, with a bar, live music and food at prices you can afford.
Sunday 6 November sees two more sessions for each of the courses, but it is up to you to choose, you can mix and match any of the topics that appeal to you - see the timetable below. Finally the closing rally will send off everyone with a determination to fight for a real future for younger and older people alike.
Book your ticket today!
Tickets: Weekend £30 (£15 concession), one day £15 (£8 concession), Rally for Socialism £5. Saturday accommodation and full crèche available. www.socialism2011.net 020 8988 8777
Registration starts 2.30pm Saturday and 9am Sunday in Room 101 ULU, and 6pm Saturday at Friends Meeting House. All venues are fully wheelchair accessible and have hearing aid loops.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Socialist books
Socialist Books will have a huge range of titles on sale throughout the Socialism weekend, with many special offers. Don't miss a bargain! www.socialistbooks.org.uk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Support struggle across the world
Can you donate to the Socialism 2011 appeal? It is vital that as much money as possible is collected by the Socialist Party to finance work not just in England and Wales but also internationally.
A proportion of the money raised will go to the Committee for a Workers' International (CWI - the socialist international to which the Socialist Party is affiliated) to assist the often difficult and ground-breaking work that our members are engaged in across the world.
In Greece unemployment has reached 25%. CWI members there, as with the rest of the working class, have been hit very hard by the austerity measures. But they are determinedly intervening with a programme to develop the struggles, bring down the government and end the cuts.
In Kazakhstan CWI members, leading the struggle against a barbaric regime which stoops to any method to crush dissent, are daily risking imprisonment and torture (see page 8).
A recent occupation of the tallest building in Taiwan, the Taipei tower, in protest at rising house prices and multinational companies like Carrefour, involved CWI members who attracted great interest in socialist ideas.
These are just three examples of work which would not be possible without the financial sacrifices of CWI members and supporters.
By making a donation to the Socialism 2011 appeal you can help the work of the CWI.
Can you give £5, £50 or £500? Can you ask other people to donate? Every donation will make a difference and all of it will go to building support for socialist ideas.
Ken Douglas, Socialist Party national treasurer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rallies: Friends Meeting House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ
World in crisis - fight for socialism
Hosted by the Socialist
Saturday 5 November, 6.30-8.30pm
Speakers include: Peter Taaffe Socialist Party general secretary, Clare Daly Socialist Party MP in Irish parliament, Tunisian trade union activist, US occupy Wall Street activist and a Jarrow marcher
Build a movement to bring down the Con-Dems
Sunday 6 November, 3-4.30pm
hope to see as many of you there as possible
solidarity !
Following the Youth Fight for Jobs Jarrow March's finishing rally in Trafalgar Square, Socialism 2011 starts on Saturday 5 November. It is the opportunity to find the answer to today's big question: Capitalism has failed - but what do we replace it with?
After the first set of discussion sessions, the rally at Friends Meeting House in the evening will put into context the fight we have in Britain and around the world, in an upbeat and uplifting way. We can also party hard into the night at the Camden Centre, with a bar, live music and food at prices you can afford.
Sunday 6 November sees two more sessions for each of the courses, but it is up to you to choose, you can mix and match any of the topics that appeal to you - see the timetable below. Finally the closing rally will send off everyone with a determination to fight for a real future for younger and older people alike.
Book your ticket today!
Tickets: Weekend £30 (£15 concession), one day £15 (£8 concession), Rally for Socialism £5. Saturday accommodation and full crèche available. www.socialism2011.net 020 8988 8777
Registration starts 2.30pm Saturday and 9am Sunday in Room 101 ULU, and 6pm Saturday at Friends Meeting House. All venues are fully wheelchair accessible and have hearing aid loops.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Socialist books
Socialist Books will have a huge range of titles on sale throughout the Socialism weekend, with many special offers. Don't miss a bargain! www.socialistbooks.org.uk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Support struggle across the world
Can you donate to the Socialism 2011 appeal? It is vital that as much money as possible is collected by the Socialist Party to finance work not just in England and Wales but also internationally.
A proportion of the money raised will go to the Committee for a Workers' International (CWI - the socialist international to which the Socialist Party is affiliated) to assist the often difficult and ground-breaking work that our members are engaged in across the world.
In Greece unemployment has reached 25%. CWI members there, as with the rest of the working class, have been hit very hard by the austerity measures. But they are determinedly intervening with a programme to develop the struggles, bring down the government and end the cuts.
In Kazakhstan CWI members, leading the struggle against a barbaric regime which stoops to any method to crush dissent, are daily risking imprisonment and torture (see page 8).
A recent occupation of the tallest building in Taiwan, the Taipei tower, in protest at rising house prices and multinational companies like Carrefour, involved CWI members who attracted great interest in socialist ideas.
These are just three examples of work which would not be possible without the financial sacrifices of CWI members and supporters.
By making a donation to the Socialism 2011 appeal you can help the work of the CWI.
Can you give £5, £50 or £500? Can you ask other people to donate? Every donation will make a difference and all of it will go to building support for socialist ideas.
Ken Douglas, Socialist Party national treasurer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rallies: Friends Meeting House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ
World in crisis - fight for socialism
Hosted by the Socialist
Saturday 5 November, 6.30-8.30pm
Speakers include: Peter Taaffe Socialist Party general secretary, Clare Daly Socialist Party MP in Irish parliament, Tunisian trade union activist, US occupy Wall Street activist and a Jarrow marcher
Build a movement to bring down the Con-Dems
Sunday 6 November, 3-4.30pm
hope to see as many of you there as possible
solidarity !
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Why this years 75th anniversary of the Jarrow march matters today
Next weekend the weekend of the 1st of October protesters who are working class and many unemployed will be marching to London from Jarrow 75 years after the original Jarrow march. Where in their area where there was 90% unemployment to demand jobs for youth and decent pay. It is with great saddness that todays youth have to go through this and march again due to the lack of jobs and opputunities for young people still exists today in Britain as we sit on the edge of yet another financial crisis set to engulf the world once again.
Youth Fight for Jobs will bring the issue right to the fore by holding a march from Jarrow to London, starting on 1 October and ending on 5 November. We will be holding the protest to demand decent jobs and a free education for young people.
Youth Fight for Jobs National Organiser Paul Callanan says: “Young people now face the worst attacks on our rights and living standards we’ve seen in generations. The government is determined to push through cuts that will limit opportunities for youth even further. They also want to see unemployed youth used as slave labour for big business by putting people on work for dole schemes. With the brutal attacks being made on the right to an education as well, we really feel that every avenue is being closed off for people who want a decent future.
Youth Fight For Jobs 2011
“We will be marching from Jarrow to London in October to show this Con-Dem government that we will not see all the gains made by working class people over the last century blotted out of existence. We want to put the issue of youth unemployment right at the top of the agenda. As well as the march we will be building protests, demonstrations and rallies up and down the country in solidarity with the march, with the aim of linking up student activists, trade unionists, those fighting against the cuts and the unemployed.
“This is the time for young people to say; “we won’t be a lost generation! Fight for jobs and education!”
In today's Jarrow, unemployment is 5.7 per cent. Within a few miles are pockets of extreme poverty where a quarter of people are out of work. Like the rest of the country, the young are worst hit. UK unemployment among under-25s is 973,000 - and there's little to inspire hope at the nearest job centre.
Minimum wage jobs. Little aboutabout careers or apprenticeships. Nothing to nurture young dreams.
Today's Jarrow still recalls the time when Michael McLoughlin - who died in the Seventies - and many like him made their voices heard.
A monument to the marchers stands outside Morrisons. In the town hall they keep one of the crusade banners in a showcase, its blue letters stitched on to white canvas, strung between two red poles.
But the efforts of the original marchers were ultimately futile. When they reached London with a 12,000-name petition, the Tory-led National Government refused to meet them.
And Matty Meaughan, 67, a former shipbuilder killing time with friends in Jarrow, fears history will be repeated for fellow marchers.
He says: 'Look at us, we're old blokes sitting on a bench. The sad thing is when you see youngsters doing the same because they've no jobs to go to.
'I wish them well on their march. It's great to see some fighting spirit. But will they listen to Jarrow this time? It would be a miracle if they did.'
The march this October has also found support from the national media including the Daily Mirror this is excellent news and we need all the publicity we can get for the march. Not just the march but the point it is sending to this con-dem government.
Kevin Maguire, columnist with the Daily Mirror, has praised the organisers of Youth Fight For Jobs the Jarrow March 2011, which is setting off on 1st October and should arrive in London on the 5th November, to raise awareness about soaring unemployment and the Conservative-Liberal complicity in axing jobs, services and opportunities for young workers and students. This follows previous positive coverage in the Sunday Mirror.
Walking in the footsteps of the Jarrow marchersby Kevin Maguire, Daily Mirror 21/09/2011
footsteps-of-the-jarrow-marchers-115875-23434822/#ixzz1YcCPqmTS
THE Jarrow Crusade, 75 years old next month, is an inspirational chapter in our country’s history.
In the Great Depression, 200 hungry and desperate jobless men went on a 300-mile walk for work to London. Tories and Liberals on Tyneside and along the route backed the 1936 protest which, unfashionable as it remains to say, was an utter failure. PM Stanley Baldwin refused to see them and ironically it was Hitler who saved the shipbuilding town, war requiring warships.
I wish the best of luck to the plucky young people who, a week on Saturday, begin walking in the footsteps of the Jarrow men. Nearly one in five young people are on the scrapheap. But this trek doesn’t have the support of the Cons. Cameron’s Big Society only has room for the successful and well-to-do.
http://jarrowmarch11.com
Youth Fight for Jobs will bring the issue right to the fore by holding a march from Jarrow to London, starting on 1 October and ending on 5 November. We will be holding the protest to demand decent jobs and a free education for young people.
Youth Fight for Jobs National Organiser Paul Callanan says: “Young people now face the worst attacks on our rights and living standards we’ve seen in generations. The government is determined to push through cuts that will limit opportunities for youth even further. They also want to see unemployed youth used as slave labour for big business by putting people on work for dole schemes. With the brutal attacks being made on the right to an education as well, we really feel that every avenue is being closed off for people who want a decent future.
Youth Fight For Jobs 2011
“We will be marching from Jarrow to London in October to show this Con-Dem government that we will not see all the gains made by working class people over the last century blotted out of existence. We want to put the issue of youth unemployment right at the top of the agenda. As well as the march we will be building protests, demonstrations and rallies up and down the country in solidarity with the march, with the aim of linking up student activists, trade unionists, those fighting against the cuts and the unemployed.
“This is the time for young people to say; “we won’t be a lost generation! Fight for jobs and education!”
In today's Jarrow, unemployment is 5.7 per cent. Within a few miles are pockets of extreme poverty where a quarter of people are out of work. Like the rest of the country, the young are worst hit. UK unemployment among under-25s is 973,000 - and there's little to inspire hope at the nearest job centre.
Minimum wage jobs. Little aboutabout careers or apprenticeships. Nothing to nurture young dreams.
Today's Jarrow still recalls the time when Michael McLoughlin - who died in the Seventies - and many like him made their voices heard.
A monument to the marchers stands outside Morrisons. In the town hall they keep one of the crusade banners in a showcase, its blue letters stitched on to white canvas, strung between two red poles.
But the efforts of the original marchers were ultimately futile. When they reached London with a 12,000-name petition, the Tory-led National Government refused to meet them.
And Matty Meaughan, 67, a former shipbuilder killing time with friends in Jarrow, fears history will be repeated for fellow marchers.
He says: 'Look at us, we're old blokes sitting on a bench. The sad thing is when you see youngsters doing the same because they've no jobs to go to.
'I wish them well on their march. It's great to see some fighting spirit. But will they listen to Jarrow this time? It would be a miracle if they did.'
The march this October has also found support from the national media including the Daily Mirror this is excellent news and we need all the publicity we can get for the march. Not just the march but the point it is sending to this con-dem government.
Kevin Maguire, columnist with the Daily Mirror, has praised the organisers of Youth Fight For Jobs the Jarrow March 2011, which is setting off on 1st October and should arrive in London on the 5th November, to raise awareness about soaring unemployment and the Conservative-Liberal complicity in axing jobs, services and opportunities for young workers and students. This follows previous positive coverage in the Sunday Mirror.
Walking in the footsteps of the Jarrow marchersby Kevin Maguire, Daily Mirror 21/09/2011
footsteps-of-the-jarrow-marchers-115875-23434822/#ixzz1YcCPqmTS
THE Jarrow Crusade, 75 years old next month, is an inspirational chapter in our country’s history.
In the Great Depression, 200 hungry and desperate jobless men went on a 300-mile walk for work to London. Tories and Liberals on Tyneside and along the route backed the 1936 protest which, unfashionable as it remains to say, was an utter failure. PM Stanley Baldwin refused to see them and ironically it was Hitler who saved the shipbuilding town, war requiring warships.
I wish the best of luck to the plucky young people who, a week on Saturday, begin walking in the footsteps of the Jarrow men. Nearly one in five young people are on the scrapheap. But this trek doesn’t have the support of the Cons. Cameron’s Big Society only has room for the successful and well-to-do.
http://jarrowmarch11.com
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
The "Youth of today"
It is tough growing up in the world today. The youth are under huge pressures now more than ever. With 1 million unemployed as we stand it is no wonder so many young people are angry about the situation they find themselves in.
Coupled with the fact next year the 9 thousand pounds a year of tuitian fees will be brought in. This as i have previously talked about on here will fule a new sense of anger in students as they look for alternatives and see very little.
The things that havent been discussed about the increase in tuitian fees is the added pressure that will go with that. The cut in higher education funding will affect the choices students and universities have in what courses they can do.
It is a bleak choice for students and young people at the moment growing up in a world where nearly every night there is bad negative news on the tv stating which country is needing a bail out of its debt next. They then hear how much debt they will be in if they do try and fulfill their ambitions at university . All this must make them feel like they are up to their neck in debt and no way out of this cycle.
This is not fair. On a young generation which hold the key to moving us all forward in many ways as they are the future are being victimised from all angles.
We see only this week even further evidence with the jailing of Charlie Gilmore from the magnificent students demonstrations last year in December. Many were arrested and detained against their will in kettles and there are legal proceedings going through against that and the police who kettled young students younger than 18 for excessive lengths of time and without food or water or toilet facilities. This is not on in my book it is bad enough to submit anyone to this sort of treatment but leta lone under 18's.
There is increasing attempts by the ruling class to clamp down on political protest from young people as we have seen with the handing out of harsh sentances to protesters who although acting a little stupid to say the least have been given harsh sentances. Like the 32 month sentance to Edward Woodwood for dropping a fire extinguisher off the top of Conservative HQ. Not excusing these students but i can totally understand the anger they feel and were hitting back due to their lack of opputunities from this government inflicting cuts and privatisation and less opputunities to them as a result.
What options are they left with when they feel they have no voice in a political sense. Not one of the main political parties speaks their language anymore. It was said the Lib Dems did support students and played very well on this fact last time at the election but this can no longer be true due to them selling out their pledges to vote with the tories for higher tuitian fees.
This was met with huge anger andaggression from many students and young people who just weeks before had seen their EMA decimated which is another vital component of a students life today giving them the chance to get to school and college and pay for their education materials.
We as socialists must show that there is a light and a chance for them to engage in class struggle but not turn to such dangerous tactics of anarchism. We would much rather they built up their anger and developed a good sense of collective power with their fellow students and took strike action, occupations and demonstrations on a mass scale. This is far more effective when organised properly.
The collective power of the organised working class cannot be underestimated. The trade unions and students need to merge into one now really as we aer all facing attacks from all angles and united we stand divided we fall.
The fact that there have been politically motivated arrests and jail sentances is all designed to put young people off protesting. This will not work as the harder they come down on them the stronger their views against the state will become. We must be there to channel that into a positive action rather than a negative one though.
This autumn many young people are reinacting the Jarrow to London march
"Youth Fight for Jobs is organising a march from Jarrow to London in October, in the footsteps of the unemployed seventy-five years ago. They marched for the right to work, to be able to have a job. It seems this government is forcing millions today to do the same. We will set off on 1 October, a day before the start of the Conservative conference, and arrive in London 5 weeks later on 5 November. We are calling on the anti-cuts movement, student activists, trade union members and unemployed workers to support our march."
Youth Fight for Jobs was launched in January 2009 to combat the effects of the recession on young people. It is supported by Unite, RMT, PCS, CWU, UCU, Bectu and many local trade union and student union groups.
We stand shulder to shoulder with these young people in their fight for a better opputunity in life.
THE RIGHT TO A DECENT JOB FOR ALL, WITH A LIVING WAGE OF AT LEAST £8 AN HOUR
NO TO CHEAP LABOUR APPRENTICESHIPS! ALL APPRENTICESHIPS TO PAY AT LEAST THE MINIMUM WAGE, WITH A JOB GUARANTEED AT THE END
NO TO UNIVERSITY FEES. SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN TO DEFEAT FEES.
These are just some of the basic demands young people want today we as the working class must support them and make them feel they are not alone and we as the workers are all in this together and together we can win.
Coupled with the fact next year the 9 thousand pounds a year of tuitian fees will be brought in. This as i have previously talked about on here will fule a new sense of anger in students as they look for alternatives and see very little.
The things that havent been discussed about the increase in tuitian fees is the added pressure that will go with that. The cut in higher education funding will affect the choices students and universities have in what courses they can do.
It is a bleak choice for students and young people at the moment growing up in a world where nearly every night there is bad negative news on the tv stating which country is needing a bail out of its debt next. They then hear how much debt they will be in if they do try and fulfill their ambitions at university . All this must make them feel like they are up to their neck in debt and no way out of this cycle.
This is not fair. On a young generation which hold the key to moving us all forward in many ways as they are the future are being victimised from all angles.
We see only this week even further evidence with the jailing of Charlie Gilmore from the magnificent students demonstrations last year in December. Many were arrested and detained against their will in kettles and there are legal proceedings going through against that and the police who kettled young students younger than 18 for excessive lengths of time and without food or water or toilet facilities. This is not on in my book it is bad enough to submit anyone to this sort of treatment but leta lone under 18's.
There is increasing attempts by the ruling class to clamp down on political protest from young people as we have seen with the handing out of harsh sentances to protesters who although acting a little stupid to say the least have been given harsh sentances. Like the 32 month sentance to Edward Woodwood for dropping a fire extinguisher off the top of Conservative HQ. Not excusing these students but i can totally understand the anger they feel and were hitting back due to their lack of opputunities from this government inflicting cuts and privatisation and less opputunities to them as a result.
What options are they left with when they feel they have no voice in a political sense. Not one of the main political parties speaks their language anymore. It was said the Lib Dems did support students and played very well on this fact last time at the election but this can no longer be true due to them selling out their pledges to vote with the tories for higher tuitian fees.
This was met with huge anger andaggression from many students and young people who just weeks before had seen their EMA decimated which is another vital component of a students life today giving them the chance to get to school and college and pay for their education materials.
We as socialists must show that there is a light and a chance for them to engage in class struggle but not turn to such dangerous tactics of anarchism. We would much rather they built up their anger and developed a good sense of collective power with their fellow students and took strike action, occupations and demonstrations on a mass scale. This is far more effective when organised properly.
The collective power of the organised working class cannot be underestimated. The trade unions and students need to merge into one now really as we aer all facing attacks from all angles and united we stand divided we fall.
The fact that there have been politically motivated arrests and jail sentances is all designed to put young people off protesting. This will not work as the harder they come down on them the stronger their views against the state will become. We must be there to channel that into a positive action rather than a negative one though.
This autumn many young people are reinacting the Jarrow to London march
"Youth Fight for Jobs is organising a march from Jarrow to London in October, in the footsteps of the unemployed seventy-five years ago. They marched for the right to work, to be able to have a job. It seems this government is forcing millions today to do the same. We will set off on 1 October, a day before the start of the Conservative conference, and arrive in London 5 weeks later on 5 November. We are calling on the anti-cuts movement, student activists, trade union members and unemployed workers to support our march."
Youth Fight for Jobs was launched in January 2009 to combat the effects of the recession on young people. It is supported by Unite, RMT, PCS, CWU, UCU, Bectu and many local trade union and student union groups.
We stand shulder to shoulder with these young people in their fight for a better opputunity in life.
THE RIGHT TO A DECENT JOB FOR ALL, WITH A LIVING WAGE OF AT LEAST £8 AN HOUR
NO TO CHEAP LABOUR APPRENTICESHIPS! ALL APPRENTICESHIPS TO PAY AT LEAST THE MINIMUM WAGE, WITH A JOB GUARANTEED AT THE END
NO TO UNIVERSITY FEES. SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN TO DEFEAT FEES.
These are just some of the basic demands young people want today we as the working class must support them and make them feel they are not alone and we as the workers are all in this together and together we can win.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Youth unemployment figures up today, gov still with no plan for more jobs
So today we have learned unemployment rate for those aged from 16-24 up by 0.8 on the quarter to reach 20.6% the highest figure since records began in 1992. Very worrying neews indeed for those young people struggling to find a job out there today.
I am a socialist and the socialist party has a excellent campaign that has been going for sometime now and is becoming ever more rellevant as the months tick by. Their demands are simple
THE RIGHT TO A DECENT JOB FOR ALL, WITH A LIVING WAGE OF AT LEAST £8 AN HOUR
NO TO CHEAP LABOUR APPRENTICESHIPS! ALL APPRENTICESHIPS TO PAY AT LEAST THE MINIMUM WAGE, WITH A JOB GUARANTEED AT THE END
NO TO UNIVERSITY FEES. SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN TO DEFEAT FEES.
The last point there is very telling as we see week by week each university coming out and announcing it will be charging the top rate of 9 thousand pounds a year tuitian fees. This is despite the government telling us this price would be the exception not the norm.
Take Hull in yorkshire one of the worst areas in teh country for youth unemployment.
Welcome to Hull - capital of youth unemployment. Where 50% of young men leave school without a single A*-C grade GCSE. Where chlamydia, gonorrhoea and teenage pregnancy are at the highest levels in the country. Where youth services face being slashed by 75%. And where 40% of people are employed by the city council which is about to cut 1,350 jobs.
The young people of this city have been abandoned. The Lib Dem council is in charge of a budget that is supposed to provide for some of the neediest young people in the country, yet they see fit to cut their provisions to barely a quarter of the already inadequate funding.
Young people in Hull will lose their youth centres, their sexual health clinics, their after school clubs, their EMA and the Learning Zone, a ten week course based at the KC stadium with local rugby and football teams.
Even the shining star of youth provisions, the Albemarle Music Centre, hasn't escaped the axe. 600 young musicians a week use this centre. It is home to the Yorkshire Young Musicians and the Hull Philharmonic orchestra, as well as 18 other musical ensembles. However, the centre will lose all of its funding.
There is huge anger about the impending cuts. It even triggered a youth-led demonstration during half term. Hundreds of young people and youth workers protested outside the city hall, outside the train station and outside the guildhall, with young people from the Albemarle staging musical protests at each location.
However, this will not be enough. The council will stand firm, despite the pressure of thousands of workers, youth and trade unionists protesting already. The only alternative being offered in the council chamber is a Labour group wanting to cut salaries rather than lead a real fightback.
Hull Youth Fight for Jobs will be joining the march from Jarrow to London in October to call for a better future for young people. We want action from the government to provide jobs, training and decent welfare.
To get involved with any part of the march or for information on other ways you can help see www.jarrow2london2011.wordpress.com
aswell as Hull there is Lewisham in south London one of the most deprieved areas in the whole of the country and again it is having its budget cut by labour and the tories by a huge amount. It is outrageous that those who need the help most will not get it no longer.
New figures show that Lewisham has the highest level of youth unemployment in Britain with 35.8% of 16-24 year unemployed in the borough. Due to cuts in funding from the council services for unemployed youth will close their doors. Within the next month Connexions and Opening Doors will close down.
The lack of common sense from Lewisham council is astounding. It is outrageous that at the same time as these figures coming out they refuse to provide the funding necessary to keep these vital services going. Many young people rely on services like Connexions and Opening Doors to help them out of the misery of unemployment.
We say that councils should be funding services to create work and keep people off the dole queue. We are holding this demonstration to show the council and the ConDem government that young people won't take attacks on our futures lying down. We won't be a lost generation, we will fight for real jobs and a decent education.
Lastly i'd just like to bring to peoples attention the Jarrow march that is taking place this October i myself will be helping out with this if i can as the route comes into our area and would love to show solidarity with the youth marching to London to protest about the lack of jobs for the youth of today.
This October will mark the 75th anniversary of the Jarrow March against unemployment. Recent figures have shown that the issue of unemployment still exists especially amongst youths. At present there are 965,000 16-24 year olds who are unemployed.
Youth Fight for Jobs will bring the issue right to the fore by holding a march from Jarrow to London, starting on 1 October and ending on 5 November. We will be holding the protest to demand decent jobs and a free education for young people.
Youth Fight for Jobs, National Organiser Paul Callanan says: "Young people now face the worst attacks on our rights and living standards we've seen in generations. The government is determined to push through cuts that will limit opportunities for youth even further. They also want to see unemployed youth used as slave labour for big business by putting people on work for dole schemes. With the brutal attacks being made on the right to an education as well, we really feel that every avenue is being closed off for people who want a decent future.
"We will be marching from Jarrow to London in October to show this Con-Dem government that we will not see all the gains made by working class people over the last century blotted out of existence. We want to put the issue of youth unemployment right at the top of the agenda. As well as the march we will be building protests, demonstrations and rallies up and down the country in solidarity with the march, with the aim of linking up student activists, trade unionists, those fighting against the cuts and the unemployed.
"This is the time for young people to say; "we won't be a lost generation! Fight for jobs and education!"
I am a socialist and the socialist party has a excellent campaign that has been going for sometime now and is becoming ever more rellevant as the months tick by. Their demands are simple
THE RIGHT TO A DECENT JOB FOR ALL, WITH A LIVING WAGE OF AT LEAST £8 AN HOUR
NO TO CHEAP LABOUR APPRENTICESHIPS! ALL APPRENTICESHIPS TO PAY AT LEAST THE MINIMUM WAGE, WITH A JOB GUARANTEED AT THE END
NO TO UNIVERSITY FEES. SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN TO DEFEAT FEES.
The last point there is very telling as we see week by week each university coming out and announcing it will be charging the top rate of 9 thousand pounds a year tuitian fees. This is despite the government telling us this price would be the exception not the norm.
Take Hull in yorkshire one of the worst areas in teh country for youth unemployment.
Welcome to Hull - capital of youth unemployment. Where 50% of young men leave school without a single A*-C grade GCSE. Where chlamydia, gonorrhoea and teenage pregnancy are at the highest levels in the country. Where youth services face being slashed by 75%. And where 40% of people are employed by the city council which is about to cut 1,350 jobs.
The young people of this city have been abandoned. The Lib Dem council is in charge of a budget that is supposed to provide for some of the neediest young people in the country, yet they see fit to cut their provisions to barely a quarter of the already inadequate funding.
Young people in Hull will lose their youth centres, their sexual health clinics, their after school clubs, their EMA and the Learning Zone, a ten week course based at the KC stadium with local rugby and football teams.
Even the shining star of youth provisions, the Albemarle Music Centre, hasn't escaped the axe. 600 young musicians a week use this centre. It is home to the Yorkshire Young Musicians and the Hull Philharmonic orchestra, as well as 18 other musical ensembles. However, the centre will lose all of its funding.
There is huge anger about the impending cuts. It even triggered a youth-led demonstration during half term. Hundreds of young people and youth workers protested outside the city hall, outside the train station and outside the guildhall, with young people from the Albemarle staging musical protests at each location.
However, this will not be enough. The council will stand firm, despite the pressure of thousands of workers, youth and trade unionists protesting already. The only alternative being offered in the council chamber is a Labour group wanting to cut salaries rather than lead a real fightback.
Hull Youth Fight for Jobs will be joining the march from Jarrow to London in October to call for a better future for young people. We want action from the government to provide jobs, training and decent welfare.
To get involved with any part of the march or for information on other ways you can help see www.jarrow2london2011.wordpress.com
aswell as Hull there is Lewisham in south London one of the most deprieved areas in the whole of the country and again it is having its budget cut by labour and the tories by a huge amount. It is outrageous that those who need the help most will not get it no longer.
New figures show that Lewisham has the highest level of youth unemployment in Britain with 35.8% of 16-24 year unemployed in the borough. Due to cuts in funding from the council services for unemployed youth will close their doors. Within the next month Connexions and Opening Doors will close down.
The lack of common sense from Lewisham council is astounding. It is outrageous that at the same time as these figures coming out they refuse to provide the funding necessary to keep these vital services going. Many young people rely on services like Connexions and Opening Doors to help them out of the misery of unemployment.
We say that councils should be funding services to create work and keep people off the dole queue. We are holding this demonstration to show the council and the ConDem government that young people won't take attacks on our futures lying down. We won't be a lost generation, we will fight for real jobs and a decent education.
Lastly i'd just like to bring to peoples attention the Jarrow march that is taking place this October i myself will be helping out with this if i can as the route comes into our area and would love to show solidarity with the youth marching to London to protest about the lack of jobs for the youth of today.
This October will mark the 75th anniversary of the Jarrow March against unemployment. Recent figures have shown that the issue of unemployment still exists especially amongst youths. At present there are 965,000 16-24 year olds who are unemployed.
Youth Fight for Jobs will bring the issue right to the fore by holding a march from Jarrow to London, starting on 1 October and ending on 5 November. We will be holding the protest to demand decent jobs and a free education for young people.
Youth Fight for Jobs, National Organiser Paul Callanan says: "Young people now face the worst attacks on our rights and living standards we've seen in generations. The government is determined to push through cuts that will limit opportunities for youth even further. They also want to see unemployed youth used as slave labour for big business by putting people on work for dole schemes. With the brutal attacks being made on the right to an education as well, we really feel that every avenue is being closed off for people who want a decent future.
"We will be marching from Jarrow to London in October to show this Con-Dem government that we will not see all the gains made by working class people over the last century blotted out of existence. We want to put the issue of youth unemployment right at the top of the agenda. As well as the march we will be building protests, demonstrations and rallies up and down the country in solidarity with the march, with the aim of linking up student activists, trade unionists, those fighting against the cuts and the unemployed.
"This is the time for young people to say; "we won't be a lost generation! Fight for jobs and education!"
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