On March 26, thousands, led by the TUC, will march for an alternative to the policies of the Government that are cutting too fast and too deep and threatening decent public services and the quality of life of millions. I will be marching with London Young Labour and I’m urging CLPs and party members in London to join us and march with our youngest members because this is about the future of our country.
Our work to make the case for a better way forward takes many forms. A demonstration is only one of them. But it could not be more timely or relevant. Next week George Osborne will announce his latest Budget. It will be another stage in the onslaught on middle and low-income earners, propping up privilege and causing more damage to public services.
For those who think it doesn’t matter whether you have a Labour government or a Tory one, the latest evidence to the contrary is the relentless demand for “deregulation” of employment rights. Deregulation is their way to describe it – what it really amounts to is the removal of people’s protection. As Ed Balls argues, they are trying to show that the real problems facing the economy are not their reckless cuts but paternity and maternity entitlements. These are long-fought-for rights.
That they are under attack is yet further proof that the real objective here is to make ordinary people pay for a crisis they did not create – extracting more from the majority but protecting the wealthy. A fairer labour market with a decent work-life balance is something, as a society, we should aspire to, not roll back.
Boris Johnson complains: “We used to compete on tax and on labour market flexibility, and the danger at the moment is that we are losing our edge on both.” As a Tory, Johnson sees the economic crisis we’ve experienced as an excuse to reduce protection for working families and make the tax system less fair. But maternity rights did not create the global financial meltdown. They shouldn’t be eroded as a result of it.
In fact, a new survey from the Institute of Chartered Accountants shows what is at the heart of the economic problems we are facing. One in five of employers surveyed reported that spending cuts have already affected their turnover and 45 per cent believe that turnover will face negative impacts from cuts over the next 12 months. Because of this 47 per cent of those reporting a reduction in their turnover have already reduced staff. So the private sector, and the economy as a whole, is suffering because of the scorched earth approach to public spending. The right’s response is to turn the fire onto employees’ protection, to push to make it easier to sack people and to reduce common standards that ensure a good balance between work and family life.
Similarly, the Tories are making the next generation pay for the Conservative Party’s austerity. Whether it is children or young adults, the Government has declared open season on the next generation: from the Education Maintenance Allowance and student fees, to the Future Jobs Fund and Sure Start, to child benefit and schools cuts under the Building Schools for the Future programme. Cuts to the house-building budget will damage the life chances of young people looking for a secure and affordable home. That’s why I will be marching with Labour’s young members in London. We should be protecting the prospects and life chances of those on whom we depend to deal with the challenges of the 21st century. Bring your Labour Party banners from all parts of London and join me in marching with London Young Labour to make the case for a fair alternative based on investment for the future.
Join us on the march, follow London Young Labour on Twitter: @LDNYoungLabour and follow Ken’s campaign on @Ken4London
