Why London march may not be the last
Hundreds of people from Norwich boarded coaches and trains to join yesterday’s national demonstration in London.
Here’s why some of them joined what could be the first of many protests.
An estimated half a million people joined the protest through London. Organised by the Trade Unions Congress (TUC), the demonstration demanded a change of direction by the Coalition government. Among those who joined the rally was Richard Edwards, Chair of Norfolk Coalition Against the Cuts: “This is the first huge expression of the nation’s dissatisfaction with the Coalition government’s policies but it is also a demand for realistic alternatives which exist: the fixing of tax loopholes and investment in jobs. This week’s budget was another wasted opportunity and many Norfolk people will be adding their voice to the demand by millions – the real ‘Big Society’ – for a new direction. We demand that the government must protect and create jobs instead of destroying them as it is now doing.”
Jez Fredenburgh, a recent graduate added: “I’m joining the march because I am angry about the selling off our public assets such as the NHS, the privatisation of education and the barriers that are being put in place against social mobility, such as vast university fees, not to mention cuts to regulatory bodies such as the Food Standards Agency which do critical work. I feel that the cuts are ideologically driven and a few large private companies will reap the rewards from selling our services back to us at a profit, whilst the Government ignores fairer alternatives such as a Robin Hood Tax and the closure of tax loopholes.”
Pensioners joined students, teachers, nurses and other public sector workers on the march. Dave Peacock, a firefighter from south Norwich, said: “Obviously as a public sector worker, lots of the cuts are affecting the fire service. From April 1st, 1200 firefighter jobs will go nationally and a further 500 jobs not on the front line are also going. I’m also against the proposed changes to pensions. Standing there, shoulder to shoulder with other members of the public sector, it felt like at least we’re not alone. It’s a just argument and it felt right to be there.”
He, like many others, believes further demonstrations will be planned as the cuts to jobs and services are felt across the board.
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