IN response to Barry Gibson’s rather gloomy column What’s left of the Lefties’ protest? (Examiner, February 29) I would, as an active member of Kirklees Save Our Services, agree wholeheartedly with his sentiment that there appears to be a decline in activism across Kirklees.
Yet I would suggest that this appearance does not necessarily correspond with reality.
It is certainly true that there has been a lack of confidence across the district that the assault on public services and upon workers’ pay and conditions by the Con-Dem Government – and ever so enthusiastically implemented by the so-called Labour Council locally – can be fundamentally opposed.
Workers naturally fear for their jobs. The constant barrage of statements, both in the mainstream media and coming from local politicians such as Clr Mehboob Khan, saying the cuts are inevitable and cannot possibly be opposed, has inevitably served to convince a beleaguered public that resistance is entirely futile.
Despite this, we need not look far for reassurance that resistance does have a substantial impact. Kirklees Council has ungraciously backed away from its proposals to close Sure Start Centres, although I would urge caution in taking this at face value.
Last week, in an historic day for rank and file action, we witnessed a stunning victory for electricians who have spent six months tirelessly campaigning against Balfour Beatty’s attempts to cut electricians’ and other skilled construction workers’ wages by up to 35%.
The disgraceful ‘Workfare’ scheme is all but in tatters as company after company have pulled out of this covert attempt at slave labour. This has directly resulted from protests against big companies such as Tesco and McDonald’s.
The appalling NHS Bill – which would privatise the whole of the NHS were it to be implemented, remains a serious threat to the future of universal healthcare, but the campaign against it is growing in force.
Unions representing all types of medical staff are ferociously voicing their opposition to the proposals and a national lobby of Parliament is scheduled for March 21.
Despite the betrayal of the bureaucracy of the largest trade unions over the plans by the Government to slash the value of public sector pensions by 40%, there will be a further strike on March 30, led by the National Union of Teachers and Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS). Unions continue to vote to reject the Government’s ‘offer’. The movement is gaining momentum.
It is frustrating that the people of Kirklees have yet to find the courage to resist the austerity measures. Ultimately though, it will be communities, families and trade unionists who will heed the battle cry.
The resistance will not be led by any of the peripheral parties, nor by a small band of disorganised and dysfunctional anarchists. It will not be led by the Labour Party, which is now defunct as a force for working class struggle.
Once the unyielding force of people power awakens and communities and activists unite, it will be unstoppable. I urge everyone to support Kirklees SOS.
A public meeting has been organised on Thursday March 15 at 7pm at the Methodist Mission in Huddersfield. The topic is – ‘Can the Cuts be Resisted – What is the Alternative?’. All would be very welcome.
Bradley Chambers
Lower Hopton
There is an alternative
BARRY Gibson’s report raises some very important points, but also reveals a misunderstanding of what is happening in British politics today.
Far from morale ‘dipping’, events in the world make most of us on the left more resolved than ever to try and change the unjust and destructive system that we live under.
There is, however a real problem of mobilising people. This is mainly because many people, not only those confined to the left, believe that whatever you do, those in power do not listen to you, whether it is here in Huddersfield, nationally, or indeed internationally.
Indeed, what was the point of attending the Kirklees budget meeting when minds were already made up and decisions reached behind closed doors ?
There is a also a trend for people to regard the main battle for ideas as something which takes place in the social media. One example is the number of internet petitions which are circulating.
Many of these are for worthwhile causes, but it doesn’t involve people getting out there on the streets with a clipboard and talking to people like it used to. Events organised by Facebook or Twitter often lack a real foundation, as Barry describes.
When there have been massive mobilisations it has been for events called by national bodies like the NUS, or TUC, and focused on London. Local organisation has been neglected as the unions defer to the national leadership and seem reluctant to mobilise their membership at a grassroots level.
It is interesting that Barry should refer to an ‘increasing division’ between official trade union protest and ‘the Anarchists.’
In fact some Anarchists are involved in unions, but it is indeed mainly outside the old moribund structures of the labour movement that Anarchism is actually flourishing.
Barry claims to be qualified to comment on the state of the left due to his professional knowledge. I can speak both as a historian and perhaps the longest active member of the ‘ultra-left’ in Huddersfield. Anarchism is stronger now in Huddersfield than any time since its heyday before the First World War.
Many young people are not attracted to formal and often authoritarian organisations. They want to be involved in campaigns that are innovative and take direct action, instead of merely electing politicians, and even union leaders, who only perpetuate the status quo.
Barry is right that the left in Huddersfield is weak. He is wrong that it is getting weaker. It is in a state of transformation symptomatic of changes taking place on a global scale. Sure, we can’t get thousands out onto the streets like they can in Madrid, Athens or Bahrain.
But we are winning the battle of ideas as more people see that capitalism is fundamentally flawed. We just need to convince them that there IS an alternative.
Alan Brooke
Honley
Tribute to David
I WOULD like to pay tribute to the late David Hammond, former arts correspondent for the Huddersfield Examiner.
David was a great inspiration and support for many local artists and gave great encouragement via his excellent articles.
I first met David back in the mid 1990s when as an artist just starting out I sent some examples of my work to him and was delighted when he visited me at home and wrote a great article on my work.
So began a long association and many more encouraging reviews. I will always be grateful for the support and friendship he offered me as an early career artist.
I also pay a tribute on behalf of members of the Huddersfield Art Society. He was always a very welcome guest at our annual exhibitions at the Huddersfield Art Gallery and we always awaited his reviews with excitement.
One year when he couldn’t come because of illness it wasn’t quite the same somehow.
Although I value my continued contacts with the Huddersfield Examiner, David will always have a special place in my memory as knowing how to give support and encouragement when it was needed.
He was a gentleman who will be fondly remembered and sadly missed.
Matthew Evans
President, Huddersfield Art Society
Praise for NHS
MY wife recently passed away after suffering from an acute form of leukaemia.
I would like to thank all the front line staff on Ward 12 at the NHS hospital in Lindley.
For nearly two years I have taken my wife in twice a week for blood transfusions and the doctor, sisters and nurses have been wonderful and very caring.
I would also like to thank the after care provided by the district nurses and the home helps. All these people have done a marvellous job and deserve a lot of praise for what they do.
ANTHONY COLE
South Crosland
Life with the Dukes
FRIENDS from Marsden and Golcar sent me the recent All Our Yesterdays section that featured the Duke of Wellington A and B Companies in Honduras in 1963.
I served with B Coy for the whole tour and remember being interviewed by a reporter. Whether this was during our time or at the handover stage I don’t recall.
However, I do recall his delight and my astonishment when talking to me and another lad. The lad said he was from Milnsbridge. I came from Slawit myself and had served with him for a few years without realising we were from the same valley.
I recognise a few faces in the photos of A Coy and a few names, including Jock Norman, George Lamont from Crimble and Terry Laherty from Huddersfield, who sadly passed away a few months ago.
I served with the Dukes from 1952 to 1984 and the only posting I missed between 1952 and 1975 was the first tour of Kenya, as I was instructing at Beverley and Strensall at the time. I went on the long service list in December 1974 until I retired in 1984.
I would do it all over again if it were possible. A great regiment, great lads and a lot of great times.
MR L W RUSBY
Northampton
