Blame Austerity Not Immigrants!

Austerity and Inequality To Blame Not Migrants

As we've seen recently, Keir Starmer's government would rather blame immigrants and resort to racist arguments, than properly deal with the social problems caused by austerity and inequality.

So this from Kevin Courtney (a former General Secretary of the National Education Union) on his Facebook page is spot on:

'The thing that terrifies me about Keir Starmer’s immigration speech is not the idea that there might be a discussion about immigration.

It is that he wove through his speech so many of the racists’ arguments.

From the Powellite reference to strangers:
“we risk becoming an island of strangers”

To the claim that migrants don’t integrate:
“when people come to our country, they should also commit to integration, to learning our language”

To the claim that housing problems are caused by migration:
“if we do need to do more to release pressure on housing and our public services, then mark my words – we will”

to the claim that migrants reduce wages:
“who work in parts of our economy that put downward pressure on wages”

Each of these claims is bogus. It’s bad bosses, attacks on unions, lack of rights at work that lead to lower wages. It’s lack of house building, and sky high property prices, as the rich buy everything up, that leads to housing problems. And then there are the cuts to English language courses…

But worse; his echoing of these racist lines will be picked up and amplified by racist thugs on the street. Our migrant friends and other black and brown people in the second, third and fourth generations will feel the effects of this.

And it will only encourage far right, racist, Reform to go even further.

Keir Starmer’s speech is a disgrace. I call for every Labour MP and councillor to speak out against it.

I call for Keir Starmer to resign.'

So its crucial we boldly call out austerity and inequality, come together united against Austerity 2.0 on the 7th June (and beyond) at the National Demonstration, and that we do not allow racism and hate to divide us. (See below for info on the Demonstration).

The National Demonstration is now supported by most of the major trade unions and many campaigns. We urge all to support, promote and attend this really important Demonstration and encourage you to get your organisations and trade unions to also do the same.

A Model Motion to support and promote the demo is here. Please take this to your trade union branch, region or national office.

Please contribute to our demo crowdfunder if you can. See here for link.

There will be coaches going from various parts of the country. We will update our website as we get details. Please encourage your trade union or organisation to put on transport or contribute towards coach costs in your local area (Many trade unions are supporting the demonstration, so speak to your local branch or region). Please email us at [email protected] if you have organised a coach and we'll add the details to our website.

Can you help us leaflet for the National Demonstration? We need volunteers to help us leaflet throughout the country for the Demonstration, but especially in or around the London area. Can you help? Please email us on [email protected]

Loss of our Facebook page. A few months ago, our admins were removed from our Facebook, and we’ve been unable to get back in. We’ve therefore been forced to set up another page called ‘No More Austerity 2.0.’ Please like and follow this new page here and encourage others to do the same. Our other social media pages remain the same and are under our People’s Assembly name.

Additional Action to Resist Austerity 2.0

As well as being part of the National Demonstration, it’s important we campaign against austerity locally as well as nationally. Email us on [email protected] for information about your local group or how to set up one.

Join the National Demonstration Facebook Event here

Dress to Protest!

Make sure you are ready for the streets! Check out our online shop, with the best anti-cuts, pro-union merchandise: Tax the Rich t-shirts and badges, ‘Unions Kicking Ass’ t-shirts & tote bags, People's Assembly hoodies & caps.

Visit our shop here

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