As encouraging as that thought was, it was the longest day of the march today from Milton Keynes to Luton. Not only was it just over 22 miles, but we had to keep to a tight schedule in order to reach the outskirts of Luton in time to walk into the town with a group of Unite members. We also had to pick up the pace due to the hours having changed and it getting dark much earlier. All of these factors meant that we had to walk at one of our fastest paces yet and we all really felt the impact of it by the end of the day.
It was brilliant to have the added support of my dad walking with us on the march today. His presence was great for morale as an extra number to the team (fresh blood!). It just made me want to again remind everyone how welcoming we are of people joining us for as much time they can spare, even if it's just for part of a day. Particularly as we approach London.
We met the group from Unite at an old Vauxhall factory on the edge of Luton. It was great to have the extra numbers for the march into the town centre, where we received a warm welcome from PCS and NUT members as well as Labour councillors and other supporters of the march. The Mayor of Luton and the Labour council made us tea in the town hall which was a great relief after the long day. They were really supportive of what we were doing and marcher, Matt Dawson thanked them for this but expressed our desire that if they really wish to show their support then they need to commit to the demands of the march and fight against any cuts asked of them by central government. We were also extremely grateful to have fish and chips provided for us by Unite and goodie bags full of fruit, crisps, chocolate and glow sticks among other things prepared for us by the local PCS branch.
The ensuing meeting in the university was extremely well attended with most of the seats in the lecture theatre being occupied and the mood was great. Speakers included reps from Unite, PCS, NUT and the TUC as well as two of the Jarrow marchers. Generally there was a really positive atmosphere in which everyone seemed to agree that what is needed is not just a fight against the cuts, but a fight for a new system. The Unite representative made us aware that the union is now opening up its membership to communities, students and unemployed people which we see as a really great move towards engaging the wider population in an organised trade union movement that fights for positive change.
On Wednesday I'm looking forward to commuting over to Brighton for a meeting on the Jarrow march. If anybody wants to hear more about our experiences on the march and the issues surrounding it then please come along. Also, don't forget that Saturday is the grand day when we have our final march in the centre of London from Embankment to Trafalgar Square. We're trying to get as big a turn out as possible on the day to send a really clear message to the government that we won't be a lost generation. Get yourself onto the coach from Brighton and fight for jobs and education!
The coach is leaving at 9am from Richmond Terrace, by St Peter's Church, and will cost £5 waged, £3 unwaged - contact info.bhsp@gmail.com or 07894716095 for more details.
I've just heard that three sons of friends of mine who had started apprenticeships - one in carpentry, two in motor engineering - have all been made redundant part way through. A year of work, training and college, then... nothing, and nothing to show for it. And hard, well probably impossible, to find another one in South Wales.
ReplyDeleteLots of publicity for the Occupiers in London - but you marchers are taking the message to the whole country.