Saturday, May 14, 2011

The Rally Against Debt

Just back from the Rally Against Debt in the old palace yard opposite Parliament. Here are a few pics from my not so great camera phone ....



All went well - turn out was respectable. I'm told 300 was mentioned on the radio, but frankly I didn't count. The key thing is perhaps who attended rather than numbers as its spreading the message that we can't keep stealing from our children's futures that needs to get through, and for that to happen motivated people need to spread the message.

The problem with the national debt is that its a slow boiling frog issue. Because the increase is gradual its hard to get the public to properly engage with the issue. This leaves the playing field open to the special interest groups, special pleaders and apocalyptic socialists who actively seek the crisis we are heading towards.

So what can be done ?
Link
Further

BBC "Rally held to back cuts to reduce UK deficit"
Guardian "Pro-cuts activists to rally against debt"
Cranmer "The Rally Against Debt cannot morally be opposed"
Guido "We Rallied Against Debt"
Brian Micklethwaite - pictures of the protest signs.
Matthew Sinclair: The Rally Against Debt was a huge success
Other views
Tim Montgomerie: Why doesn't the Right march?

Update: Petitions in circulation has 400-500 signatures. The BBC reported 350 there. No a mistake they make on left wing demos. Maybe right of centre people are partially invisible to BBC eyes.

6 comments:

Rich Tee said...

I was there as well. I was 45 minutes late because I didn't realise that the Circle Line was closed. Then after about ten minutes I got hungry and wandered off to find some food. So I missed most of the talkers.

The best bit was at the end when the Police put three anarchists in a pen and everybody crowded round and taunted them.

The debt clock is very impressive. I don't worry too much about the turnouts on these events. During the 1980s thousands of people protested against Thatcher but she kept getting voted back in with larger majorities. The "March for the Alternative" did not do much harm to the Conservatives in the local elections.

Man in a Shed said...

Yes I saw the anarchist afterwards - he looked like he was on the naughty step.

Andrew Allison said...

It's a pity I didn't see you yesterday. We don't have the organisation of the TUC who use taxpayers' money to help organise mass events. I thought the turnout was great - more than I thought there would be, and there is always the opportunity to more of these events in the future.

Cuts aren't popular, but they are necessary. It's vital we bring down this debt for the future of our children. This is the message we need to get out loud and clear.

Anonymous said...

TUC march attracts 500 000

RAD attracts 350 assorted cranks. 350!!!

A ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Man in a Shed said...

@Anon or perhaps I could laugh as we achieved much more with 350 than the TUC did - pro rated.

In the end you should perhaps ask Government debts victims in Greece, Ireland and Portugal how funny unfunded massive debt and fat public sectors are.

But I guess you'll just be happy for government to steal our children's futures as long as you're alright.

Selfish destructive immoral socialism. 350 stood against it, and I was proud to be there.

Man in a Shed said...

@Andrew Yes would have been good to have chat. Next time !