According to a report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation the gap between rich and poor in the UK grew during the Thatcher/Major years (I hope they didn’t spend too much money coming to that conclusion). Well, you can spend your time sweeping leaves on a windy day, or you can do what these people are doing… and organise. As Owen writes:
“This campaign is important in itself – but it also important for the Labour Left to start building these sorts of campaigns. For too long we’ve been on the defensive and simply reacting to various reactionary measures. It’s now time to go on the offensive and start offering real alternatives…”
Best of luck to everyone involved.
On behalf of leaf sweepers everywhere, he’ll need more than luck…”fighting for Socialism in the Labour Party…”. And I’m climbing Everest, tomorrow……..
Ernesto, even a man of your impressive physique can plant a step on the foothills for someone else to follow on the way to the summit.
That’s the trouble with some of you kids, you want everything today and now. The trade union movement would have never happened if the likes of the lads from Tolpuddle had just got out their brooms and swept away the leaves unless all their demands were met immediately.
“…unless all their demands were met immediately” Well said Bob – Rome wasn’t built in a day, the inevitability of gradualism etc. – as the clichés have it….
Bob
Retired gentlemen of leisure like yourself should think more than twice before daring to criticise the likes of Ernesto who is still fighting at the cutting edge rather than blogging between holidays.
Paul, I think you will struggle to find words of criticism of Ernesto (other than his physique). Still it is always nice to be chided by a full-time official…. even from one who so recently blogged between trips to Egypt and France.
Hughes Views….”Rome wasn’t built in a day…”
Good to see you’d endorse a PFI to build it!
How very,very New Labour…..
“Well, you can spend your time sweeping leaves on a windy day, or you can do what these people are doing… and organise.”
Given how well they did with getting McDonnell elected leader, I suggest you don’t hold your breath.
Robert, the whole point of my earlier answer was that perhaps you shouldn’t hold your breath, but that doesn’t mean it is not worthwhile, although clearly not everyone grasped the point.