Building on the National People’s Assembly, launched in
London in 2010, the People’s Assembly Scotland will bring together unions,
trade union councils and local and national campaigning groups to fight the
austerity driven policies of the UK Government.
Phil McGarry |
Chairing the launch, Phil McGarry of the RMT said that the
situation has gone from bad to worse, with the biggest impact of austerity on
the poorest and most vulnerable, with cuts to benefits, pay restraint, and cost
of living rises plunging more and more people into poverty with a stark choice
to “eat or heat”.
“According to the Joseph Rowntree Trust, 47 million people
are now living below the poverty line, whilst 115 senior bankers are each worth
£3 million this year alone,” slammed Phil.
The People’s Assembly Scotland will fight for the demands of
the People’s Charter; a fair economy, more and better jobs, decent homes for
all, protection of public services, fairness and justice and a secure and
sustainable future for all.
“Fair demands for a
fair society,” said Phil, “And
achievable if there is the political will.”
Andrew Murray, of UNITE told those gathered that we are
defending values achieved by struggle that are under the most sustained assault
in the living memory of most of us, including the biggest drop in in-work
living standards since the 1930s.
“We are living through an exercise in class power by the
ruling class,” he said, “We need to work with all those affected towards an
alternative society.”
A lot of something
different
STUC General Secretary, Grahame Smith pledged the support of the STUC General
Council for the People’s Assembly, “which fits very well with the Better Way Campaign.”
Grahame Smith |
He warned, “We are not looking for a little more of the
same, we are looking for a lot of something different,” condemning the UK
Government’s vilification of poor people and adding that foodbanks in the 21st
Century is a scandal by itself.
Despite the recent comments by Cameron and Osborne, the data
shows that even by its own measures, austerity has failed. “Now we need to
convince people that there is a credible alternative,” said Grahame.
He also called for the removal of all anti-trade union
legislation and the re-establishment of collective bargaining.
Fight and don’t give
in
In a rousing, sometimes funny, sometimes angry speech, Ricky Tomlinson, actor
and one of the Shrewsbury 24, slammed UK government cuts and the impact they
have had across the UK. He painted a
stark picture of life dependent on foodbanks, cuts to the NHS, unemployment,
poverty and homelessness.
Ricky Tomlinson |
“There are thousands of skilled workers out of work and
thousands needing homes, and loads of brown belt spaces. What’s wrong with this
government?” he challenged, angrily.
He thanked trade unions and activists for all the support
they have given the Shrewsbury 24 campaign over the years, and said that they
are hoping that they are now getting to the point where the Serious Case Review
Body will review the convictions.
“Everything we’ve gained over the years has been clawed
back. That’s what they do. That’s what we’ve got to fight, but we’re not going
to give in,” said Ricky. “That’s what we need in this campaign against the cuts
too,” he warned, calling for demonstrations on the same day in every city
across the UK.
“Where is the recovery for the extra 1million people in
poverty? For those needing foodbanks to eat? For those out of work whose
benefits have been cut? For those in work whose wages have been cut drastically
in real terms?”
He condemned the union busting which is being visited on the
PCS and warned that if the Government gets away with it then they will do it to
other unions. “We must stand together and fight it,” said Kevin.
Building justified
anger
UNISON’s John Stevenson asked why we still don’t have mass anger at this
government’s cuts.
John Stevenson |
“Our movement warned austerity would make the economy worse,
not better and we were right. We were right when we said this was not about the
economy, it was about ideology – an ideology that hates public services and the
welfare state. An ideology of planned poverty and a low wage, low skill
economy.
“In the last four years the wealth of Britain’s 1000 richest
people has soared by a staggering £190billion to £449 billion.
However, there are signs that “as the excesses of this
government get more extreme, people are beginning to rumble them,” and union
members are beginning to “find the beginnings of that confidence to stand up
against the attacks. More than that – to reclaim their dignity.”
“That is the purpose of the People’s Assembly,” said John,
“to involve and engage, inform and educate, but most of all to organise.
“Organising I hope to build justified anger, then the will
and the confidence to do something about it.”
The launch continued into the afternoon with contributions from Elaine Smith and Christina McKelvie, MSPs, Katy Clark, MP, Anita Wright, Women's Assembly against Austerity, Cat Boyd, Coalition of Resistance and Raymond Mennie, Dundee and Fife People's Assembly Groups.