We all felt it. Well, a lot of us felt it. The hangover that was the election result on 8 May.
The pints of hope, the shots of change and the Jager-bomb of progression we knocked back during the weeks before – okay, I’m going to ditch the alcohol analogies early on – hoping we might see such results as a second Green Party MP or, basically, not-David-Cameron in charge. Not the most optimistic outcome for liberals worried about the way the country was heading and let down by the Lib Dems, but that hope was an attempt to make the best of the bad situation that is our archaic political system. However, as we woke up it suddenly dawned on us. The Tories had won…with a majority. The first chance of anything close to a Bloody Mary for me – last one, promise – was hearing about the End Austerity Now march arranged by the Peoples Assembly on 20 June.
I’ve never been on a march before. After becoming politically galvanised over the past few years with the irresponsible behaviour of the banks, the coalition and discovering the actions of large, aggressive corporations along with enjoying the analytic, amusing media-musings of popular left-wing figures such as Charlie Brooker, Russell Brand and Stewart Lee (suggestions of inspiration women of similar ideological ilk are welcome, please) I had found myself in a bit of a funk recently. After the elections I realised I can read all Guardian articles I like. I can share them. I can sign online petitions. But it can only do so much. I thought I was one of the many. Instead I was part of my own collective of less than a hundred Facebook friends that were doing the same thing and it turned out we were all caught with our pants down. It suggested to me there’s only so much I could do from my phone. So I thought, I may as well join in the demonstration on 20 June. And it was quite the experience.
The mood was palpable. Electric even. Electrically palpable…yeah! Groups from all over the UK converging onto the streets of London in numbers predicted to be tens of thousands becoming hundreds in actuality – 250,000 according to some sources but certainly over 150,000…when there’s so many it’s difficult to count then that’s surely a sign it’s a significant number! – and all marching for the end of austerity; the myth told through the politics of fear that the only way to get the country’s finance spreadsheet to a sufficiently anal level is to screw over the poor with cuts across the the public sector affecting the unemployed, the employed, the disabled and…well, pretty much fucking everybody!
At no point did it turn nasty. A couple of lightweight smoke bombs – their name being a bit too aggressive for what they are, I mean, why do water bombs never have this reputation? – but nothing that seemed to be doing any harm. For the section of the march we were a part of, the chants tended to be positive and good-natured with “No ifs, no buts, no public sector cuts” being the order of the day. There were some looking to distance themselves when the likes of “Tory scum!” and “Tories out!” began, myself among those who refused to join in.
Whilst they seemed to be enjoying themselves and weren’t physically aggressive – although the guy banging the snare broke the drum-strap at one point – I can see why it is said that The Left is divided. I didn’t want this government either, and yes the political system is ridiculous in that the majority of people can’t seem to vote with their heart. Instead we are guilt-tripped into voting AGAINST the party we don’t want instead. That’s not what I call democracy (incidentally the fight for proportional representation is vitally important, but for another day). But if we, and I say WE as a member of the frustrated Left…if we really want to make our point to an apathetic electorate or get voters close to the middle to listen to our arguments and disagreements then surely we won’t do that by alienating those that voted for this government.
What I got from yesterday’s march is that it’s no good calling the Tories ‘scum’ as you’re essentially insulting all those who voted for them. I mean, thinking empathetically, I would be less inclined to have a rational discussion with anybody who started a conversation “So, fuckhead, let’s talk politics…actually, nah, you’re just wrong anyway” which is essentially what this section of the crowd were doing. Despite this frustration, we were all marching for the same thing; an end to austerity. The fight is with the government, not the electorate and we would do well to always keep that in mind.
Marching alongside like-minded people whilst chanting, holding placards and congregating outside government in Parliament Square was one of the most spine-tingling, empowering things I have ever done. And I did it with hundreds of thousands of people. This was no small rabble. Listening to the various speakers from union reps, international government officials, poets, writers and politicians (Jeremy Corbyn HAS TO become the next Labour leader by the way!) was truly inspirational.
The main thing I took from the march – you had to be there. I don’t say that as a self-important first-time demonstrator. The demo, like this blog post, can be experienced in the here and now but easily forgotten unless you have an emotional investment. The lasting memory of mass solidarity. After seeing the desire for collective justice on such a grand scale I no longer feel the helpless soul I did on 8 May. Just like the writing network I’ve built over the last few years, the realisation that I’m not the only one striving toward the same goal is empowering and I’m determined to build on it further, just as the thousands that attended yesterday will do. A new play is making good progress by the way…more info soon.
Today, on the 21 June, chancellor George Osborne and Iain Duncan Smith, the work and pensions secretary, said in an article for the Sunday Times that they still intend to make deep cuts…£12bn of them. If I’ve learned anything it’s that there aren’t many coincidences in politics. The fact this article came out the day after the march is the government’s implication that the End Austerity Now demonstration was all for nothing. That it’s pointless protesting. That we should stay at home and let them get on with it. I for one will stepping away from my computer and piicking up a placard more often.
For what it’s worth, I suggest to all those who feel lost, gutted, cheated, frustrated, hollow and helpless that this government is tearing the nation apart, turn up to a protest. As a society we really are ‘the many’ and we can’t let the few lie back and think they can do what they want for another five years…I for one want to do what I can to avoid another massive hangover.
If you’ve read this, thanks for your time. For other demonstrations planned by The People’s Assembly visit thepeoplesassembly.org.uk
Craig
Notes from Ambigo Rock 