‘THIS government will either bring the country to its knees or we will stand up and oppose them and bring them to their knees!’
That was the message delivered to members of the Young Socialists March for Jobs by Unison Northampton County Branch Secretary Steve Bennett yesterday.
At a reception at his office were also Northants Fire Brigades Union President Steve Mason and Regional Secretary Gary Mitchell, who also gave their union’s support to the marchers.
‘To be quite honest,’ Bennett went on, ‘we are getting so many young people leaving school now with no future at all that it’s got to be highlighted as you’re doing.
‘Forty-six per cent of black kids and 25 per cent of white kids are leaving school with no job.
‘What’s going to happen in the future?
‘The present government is trying to attack the working class – they’re bringing it down right into the ground.
‘I think Cameron wants to finish off what Margaret Thatcher started.
‘But socialists will be able to deal with that.
‘I know the Labour Party didn’t do a fantastic job.
‘I think that they had sufficient time to put things right.
‘But they have left us in a very vulnerable situation.
‘They could have revoked the anti-union laws that Thatcher brought in.
‘But in all honesty, New Labour turned their back on the working class and anyone who voted Lib Dem should be ashamed, that’s my point of view.
‘They gave the Tories the power to do whatever they want with the country.
‘After World War Two, we built the NHS when the country was almost destroyed.
‘So why on earth do we have to close it all down again now?’
Gary Mitchell, from the FBU, told the marchers: ‘At this moment, we have practically 7,000 firefighters’ jobs and we’re the frontline of the frontline.
‘Cuts in firefighters’ jobs now will mean public safety will be compromised.
‘We’d like to see young people joining the fire service – I was lucky enough to be able to join it at aged 18.
‘But there will be no jobs for them in it, if these cuts go ahead.
‘I wish these marchers well, and I’m hopeful that a delegation from the FBU will welcome them into London on November 21.’
Yesterday was a rest day for the marchers in Northampton, where they campaigned for support and for an evening meeting of the many new members recruited.
Earlier, in the morning, they got a great reception at Northampton University, where NUS vice-president, Abdi Kater, welcomed them to the union office.
‘What you guys are doing is a great cause,’ said Abdi.
‘The government needs to wake up and understand.
‘I know these are hard times, but the government will have to think again about what they’re doing. I wish you guys well.’
Campaigning outside the union office, marchers were told by Esther Adebowale, a business management student: ‘I think your march is a good initiative.
‘The government are like bullies. Someone has to stand up to them.
‘Education should be free, there shouldn’t be a price on it.’
First year history student Emma Rowling said: ‘Fees are high enough as it is, they’re going to be hard enough to pay back now.
‘I can’t even think about how I’m going to do it.’
She added: ‘In general, the government are cutting history courses, which is my subject, and I think it’s one of the most important subjects.’
