Who will speak for those who lack any meaningful political voice? | Michael Meacher
Michael Meacher’s latest blog entry is required reading.
Followers of this blog should pay careful attention to his point that “Part of the reason for the Tory promotion of home ownership was that it inhibited strikes because of the need to pay mortgages.”
That would explain the current push to sell more social housing stock – including housing association properties – to their tenants under the fake promise that each will be replaced “one for one”.
His parting comments are very important to the Labour Party, in its current predicament:
Those marginalised by these trends are forced to be creative to get the powerful to listen.
They cannot rely on the mainstream media which are largely the plaything of a few privileged oligarchs, so they bypass it with social media.
They tweet out their situation, argue their case, appeal for solidarity and resources, and ask others to build pressure on their corporate tormentors and on local and national politicians – including Russell Brand, an important emblem of this grassroots campaign.
Democracy no longer listens to them, but local struggles particularly over housing led by working class women in Focus E15 and the New Era fightback last year are increasingly making themselves felt across the country.
If Labour is to regain its role as their representative, it has a huge job ahead getting in touch with them, listening to them, and taking part actively and enthusiastically in whatever campaigns they feel will meet their needs.
Source: Who will speak for those who lack any meaningful political voice? | Michael Meacher
Dear Mr Michael Meacher
Might the Labour party care to spread widely in social media about the LESS NOT MORE and even NIL STATE PENSION FOR LIFE coming with the flat rate state pension next year.
For the low waged working poor that half of the over 60s are within, the state pension is vital food and fuel money, being as payable if remain in work or not.
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/state-pension-at-60-now
Lowest forecast found so far is a man who found his flat rate state pension next year would be £8.39 per week after 45 years in work.
Labour do not need to revoke law.
Labour can use a Statutory Instrument that needs only a 28 day notice to change things, to amend parts of legislation already law, or on course to be law bvy the passing of a Bill 2 years before.
Within Pensions Bills 2010-2014 (last bill brought in flat rate law 2016).
1. Revoke rise in retirement age
2. Stop the merging of SERPs opt out with calculation for basic state pension.
3. Make SERPs opt out only about the top up to the basic state pension
as it is still this year.
4. Take Pension Credit out of Universal Credit,
denying Pension Credit pay out if either of a couple below the raised retirement age.
5. By revoking rise in retirement age, save the over 60s from the total loss of welfare state now coming with the Tories over next 5 years.
6. Revoke nil state pension for 10 years or less NI history and keep as present needing 1 year NI record to begin getting some basic state pension.
7. Revoke rise from 30 to 35 years NI history to get the full basic state pension.
All this can be done if Labour gains the help of the SNP, as together you are more than the slim majority of the Tories.
Would Mr Meacher and Labour party members care to spread widely my petition to inform people well in advance that the state pension is under threat from next year, please. Thanks.
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/state-pension-at-60-now
Yes. We have to learn to be our own voice!
That will be very powerful.
I’m not sure the Labour hierarchy listen to anyone any more…
WE ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN PEOPLE REALISE. WHY DO YOU THINK THE FRENCH CAVE IN WHEN THERE IS DISSENT – THEY HAD A REVOLUTION AND THE POLITICIANS DONT WANT THAT EVER TO HAPPEN AGAIN SO THEY HAVE TO LISTEN TO WHAT THEIR PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Hi Mike, Well written article, I had also said that to Michael Meacher but my comment from midnight last night still awaits moderation while later comments have been published… what can I have said? Here’s my comment:
“Very well written Michael. I would just like to add that neoliberal society not only ‘propagates the myth that we all rise or fall as individuals based on personal effort’ it also overtly and subtly supports and promotes the right to extreme wealth and material extravagance regardless of the consequences to others or our fragile earth.”
I can’t see anything wrong with your comment. Perhaps it just hadn’t been moderated yet?