UPDATE: Over 100 activists have gathered for a critical Zoom meeting to organize protests against the Labour government’s upcoming budget, scheduled for November 26, 2023. The meeting, dubbed “welfare not warfare,” was convened by We Demand Change (WDC) to rally opposition against what many perceive as continuing austerity measures.
Activists are alarmed as the Labour government appears poised to allocate more funding to military endeavors while potentially imposing cuts that could further harm working-class families. Sean Vernell, a national negotiator for the UCU union and a member of WDC’s steering committee, emphasized the urgency of mobilizing against these proposed budget cuts, stating, “We’re not going to allow this Labour government, after 14 years of Tory rule, to continue that wave of austerity.”
The meeting highlighted the pressing need to resist potential attacks on public services, with Vernell noting rumors of tax increases that disproportionately affect the less fortunate. “I’m all for raising taxes, but not on the poor,” he insisted, advocating for higher taxes on the wealthiest individuals in society.
Former Labour leader and current Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn addressed the activists, stressing the need for a budget that prioritizes the needs of the people. “We now have 4.5 million children living in poverty, while Britain is home to 152 billionaires. We need a budget that reduces inequality and invests in housing and health,” he said. Corbyn condemned any plans for new nuclear weapons and submarines, arguing that such expenditures only deepen societal divides.
With increasing economic challenges, including rising inflation and unemployment, the call for an equitable budget is more critical than ever. Corbyn warned that Labour’s failure to deliver meaningful change could further empower extremist groups like Reform UK.
Samira Ali, national organizer for Stand Up To Racism (SUTR), echoed these sentiments, asserting the need to unite against budget cuts and systemic racism. “This is a real fight for our lives,” she declared, calling for solidarity in the face of despair fostered by the current government.
Activists are preparing for a significant protest on the eve of the budget, scheduled for November 25, 2023, at 6 PM outside Downing Street and in various locations across the country. The event aims to galvanize support for an alternative to austerity, racism, and imperialism.
As the countdown to the budget continues, activists urge the public to stand united in opposing cuts that threaten the most vulnerable in society. The stakes are high, and the message is clear: change is needed now.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as protests unfold in the coming days.
