Anti-Austerity Demo

Yesterday (depending on reports) between 100.000 and 150.000 people attended the anti-austerity demo, organised by The People's Assembly Against Austerity. Those of us who attended had 4 Demands: health, housing, jobs, and education - the 4 areas which have been hit hardest under austerity measures and the budget statement.

The Conservative government of Cameron has long advocated an austerity-centric approach; an approach that has proven to be controversial. Unlike many other countries, the UK has opted not to follow a quantitative easing program of increased government spending to boost the economy. The Tories have chosen instead to focus on cutting government spending in order to counter account deficits. Yet many of these cuts have fallen on those in most need, causing mass societal discontent.

The actions of yesterday, last week, and undoubtedly of future planned events highlight how the Tories are facing their biggest crisis yet. People are dissatisfied with the government's failure to address the growing housing crisis; their inability to secure jobs for steel workers; their brutal attacks on junior doctors and nurses, whilst privatising the NHS; their plans to turn all schools into academies, as well as offering measly pay improvements to teachers.

If the government could afford to bail out the banks in a matter of days, the government can afford to build housing, increase pay, keep bursaries, and maintain the welfare state. For a government who claims that "we're all in this together", they sure aren't acting in such a manner. Whilst the poorest in society have had their benefits cut, been put onto zero-hours contracts, had pay reduced, and taxes increased, Cameron has been benefiting from his father's dodgy offshore tax arrangements. Doesn't really sound like Cameron is in it with the rest of us.

If you find yourself despairing while watching the news, then switch it off and go out and talk to people. You might be surprised by what you find, and what you can do. It's necessary to remember that politics is something you do, not something you have done for you. The surge in public support for anti-austerity politics, represented by the likes of Corbyn, is another indication that people are fed up with policies that only represent those at the top.

If you are passionate about something, do not doubt your ability to have an impact and make things change. Each of our voices is a vote for the kind of world we want to see. Each of our choices in the past helped build the world of today, and each of our choices from this moment forward will help build the world of tomorrow. Combined our singular voices create a cacophony of noise. Together we possess the ability to create positive change. The question is not "can you make a difference?" You already do. It's just a matter of what kind. What mark do you want to leave?