We've Already Won
The test of our progress is not whether we add more to
the abundance of those who have much, it is whether we provide enough for those
who have too little.
Frank D. Roosevelt
Three months later, I walked out of Kings Cross station with a cautious sense of optimism. Across the street, a queue snaked it's way around the block as far as the eye could see. There was a buzz in the air not usually associated with a Monday night, a time when most Londoners are hurrying home to vanquish the weekend's lingering hangover and sense of dread at the week ahead. Three young french girls tapped me on the shoulder and asked why all the crowds had gathered, clearly hoping for a celebrity sighting. Twelve weeks ago, most people had never heard of the MP for Islington North. Now, Jeremy Corbyn had to stand on top of a fire engine to address the 500+ people stood in the street who could not squeeze into the venue.
Over the last few years, the Tories have developed a narrative of fear and demonisation. With help from their friends in the media, they have created a culture where the most vulnerable, the defenceless and the poor are consistently blamed for the economic difficulties we face. Migrants who come to the UK are seen as evil thieves stealing jobs. People who claim benefits have come to be seen as parasites, stealing money from good, honest, hard-working people. Accepting money from the government now comes at a price; the scorn of society.
Unfortunately, it is not the case that everyone is born equal in this country. The welfare system was created with the intention of restoring that equality wherever possible. Many of us are lucky to have the benefit system of our family who can support us, for those who are less fortunate they are reliant on the welfare state. Just as one doesn’t deserve to be born with privilege, people don’t deserve to be born without. This is a very, very simple concept. Just as one student would not expect to be chastised, demonised and treated with contempt if they accept handouts off their parents to help pay for their University accommodation, those who claim housing benefit should not be treated as 'scroungers' when they receive assistance to find a home. By getting rid of child tax credits and University grants, the government is sending a callous message – unless you are born into a privileged family, your opportunities in life are going to be severely limited.
This is the truth of austerity. It has been projected as the only option, the only economic plan. We are told there is no other way. There is no alternative. By constantly talking about the perils of the 'deficit', the Tories have somehow convinced the population that all of the cuts are completely necessary. Fear has been used as a propaganda tool to disguise an ideological crusade that is on par with Thatcher.
But the saddest thing of all, is our collective loss of compassion as a nation. As a society we are becoming desensitised to the needs of the most vulnerable not only in the UK but in the world. A strange siege mentality has taken hold and the heartless 'it's not our problem' brand of thinking is prevalent. The world is facing the biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War, with well over 4 million Syrians fleeing the horror of war and yet our government has accepted less than 200 refugees (Sweden have taken over 40,000). Thousands of desperate people, escaping unimaginable horrors from 'countries that we have fucked up' (as Brian Eno eloquently puts it) are risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean or sleeping rough at Calais, and yet our government offers to send dogs and extra police to chase the 'swarms' away. The UK is not an exclusive Eden and you, Cameron, are not God.
As Jeremy Corbyn rightly says, we are all humans on the same planet - it is appalling that the Tories are riding the wave of UKIP's anti-immigration popularity at the expense of peoples lives. Imagine this: your home is destroyed, your family are dead and you are starving to death - you know there are several rich countries across the channel, where you can salvage what life you have left, yet you are not allowed in. Why? Because you weren't born there. This is not just. Borders should not regulate our humanity.
The lack of compassion is not just reserved for those suffering in other countries. Here in the UK: spikes are being put on pavements to prevent the homeless sleeping rough, black men are still being stopped and searched in the street because of their skin colour, the mentally ill do not receive the funding they need and 900 000 people are reliant on emergency supplies from food banks. But it's okay, as long as the deficit is being dealt with...
Jeremy Corbyn is fighting for those people. He recognises that without compassion and a sense of justice we are absolutely nothing. Politics should always, always serve those who need it most. It is not hard to understand that this does not mean the richest 1% - the private healthcare companies, the oil tycoons and the despicable banks. He is not one of those chuckling frontbenchers at PMQs, patting his neighbour on the back for a particularly witty remark - he far more interested in the issues of equality and morality than political pomp and circumstance.
Whenever you see a politician being interviewed it is always, always the same. A vague non-committal answer that fails to address the question, for fear of saying anything that may rock the boat or deviate from the party line. The robotic, PR-generated slogans are utterly vacuous and within thirty seconds they have already lost the interest of the public. The incessant question-dodging, deflecting and reluctance to clearly explain policy decisions displays a contempt for the electorate. Prior to the May election, both Labour and the Conservatives were asking the public to vote for them without revealing the true extent of the policies they planned to implement when in power. This showed a complete lack of respect for the voters - it was like being asked to vote for a contestant on the X-Factor without them singing a song (although these days that might as well have been the case...)
This is not the case with Jeremy Corbyn. He does not sit on the fence. Ask him about Trident and he'll tell you unequivocally it should be scrapped, ask him about War and he'll tell you that he will never support it, ask him about austerity and he will instantly condemn it. Over the course of his time as an MP, Corbyn defied the Labour Whip 25% of the time - he has more integrity than most of Westminster combined.
His critics consistently bring up the question of electability as an attempt to discredit his campaign. This does not make sense for several reasons. Firstly, it is counter-intuitive because popularity is indicative of electability and Jeremy Corbyn has a huge surge of support - he is inspiring a generation. Taking into consideration the fact that he does not have the traditional support networks that politicians usually have (or big business throwing money at him in exchange for influence), the success of his campaign is even more impressive. Secondly, as Corbyn himself points out over and over again, this is not just about the election of one person to one position in the Labour party. This is so much more than that, this about hope. Hope that there is an alternative to what is being offered. Hope that the narrative of fear can be transformed into one of compassion. Hope that politics can fight for those who need it most.
They can control the newspapers we read, the news channels we watch, they can cosy up at flash dinners with huge corporations and donors. But they cannot crush our hope.
When I wake up on the 12th September, whatever the result, it will not be a repeat of May 8th.
We have already won.
A movement is born.
#JezWeCan
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