Cost of Living Crisis: Enough is Enough Campaign

[AmateurAgitator]

Sign up here:

Enough is Enough!

Enough is Enough is a campaign to end the cost of living crisis. It's time to turn anger into action.

wesayenough.co.uk

Watch the video here:



The 5 demands are:

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1. A Real Pay Rise​

2. Slash Energy Bills.​

3. End Food Poverty.​

4. Decent Homes for All.​

5. Tax the Rich.​

I did initially want EIE to be a success. But personally it just seems too social democratic to really get anywhere, especially when I look back at those 5 demands - I mean, tax the rich? Really? Have these people ever heard of a capital strike? Do they really expect the profits of the rich to be taxed like they say anyway? Lynch also seems confused about the Labour Party, one minute promoting them but also admitting that they're not a party thats on the side of the working class. And does he seriously think that if we have a Labour government they wouldn't be just as anti-union as the Conservatives? But in general it just seems to be the same old tired social democratic politics and the same thing from the left thats been tried many a time before (such as the People's Assembly etc etc). It does seem to be somewhat of a shame that so many have such a large amount of their eggs in this particular basket.

 

[LDC]

My understanding is that 'tensions' have arisen within the trade union bureaucracy and noses put out of joint by EiE. Specifically, Unite has decided to launch its own competitor 'campaign' Unite for a Workers Economy : this has zero echo among activists and is being kept (barely) alive by full timers and union lay bureaucrats. I also hear that the dreadful and irrelevant Peoples Assembly are angry with EiE. No doubt there is loads of lefty sectarian shit unfathomable to all but 100 weirdos at the root of this but also, in my view, the question of prestige and power.

I'm more relaxed than many of the posters on this thread - some of whom seemed desperate for EiE to fail from the outset. This is a long war. The public sector unions are now balloting. The Tories are planning austerity 2.0 but we do not yet know the precise details (but can guess) and the cost of living crisis isn't going away because energy bills are capped at £2,500 on average. The launch events of EiE show the latent potential.

I'm not going to pretend all is going swimmingly, it clearly isn't and by now planning locally should be further along in my view. I agree with you that EiE got it wrong by not just calling local meetings and let them run/organize. An error. But, to suggest EiE has 'packed it in' is well wide of the mark.

I'm not sure anyone was desperate for EiE to fail at all, think that's just a misreading of some of the wariness due to the political history some of us see with organisations like this. And sadly it does look a bit like some of that has been born out doesn't it?

The less charitable reading is that their was some level of dishonesty about the intentions to set up 'community groups', and from someone I know from Acorn involved with EiE that does seem to be somewhat true and in their plans as I said up-thread somewhere.

So... they energized thousands of people and then seem to have pissed it away on petty squabbles and egos. Parts of the left repeatedly do this with their various grand projects (Left Unity, Peoples Assembly, etc etc etc) and it's really shit political behaviour. It makes most normal and sensible people look at us with rightfully deserved suspicion and makes anything that comes next even harder to gain the trust and respect of people as a worthwhile project. It's exactly the way the 'cobweb left' (as I think you called it?) operates and EiE was completely part of that problematic mess it seems.

I still hope they're having a blip and will emerge renewed and active though, but if they don't then they better have a good hard look at themselves and their political behaviour - and that includes Unite, etc. At the very least they need to slap their social media/website person as it's completely shit.

 

[Wilf]

I did initially want EIE to be a success. But personally it just seems too social democratic to really get anywhere, especially when I look back at those 5 demands - I mean, tax the rich? Really? Have these people ever heard of a capital strike? Do they really expect the profits of the rich to be taxed like they say anyway? Lynch also seems confused about the Labour Party, one minute promoting them but also admitting that they're not a party thats on the side of the working class. And does he seriously think that if we have a Labour government they wouldn't be just as anti-union as the Conservatives? But in general it just seems to be the same old tired social democratic politics and the same thing from the left thats been tried many a time before (such as the People's Assembly etc etc). It does seem to be somewhat of a shame that so many have such a large amount of their eggs in this particular basket.

I think you are right about it being social democratic and, ultimately, in favour of a Labour government. For me though, it was about the potential links between industrial action and community organising, at a time of vicious attacks on workers terms and conditions/jobs and on standards of living. It filled a gap that's been there so long and could have been (still could) a presence, at a time when there was a real sense that industrial and community struggles were part of the same struggle. It wouldn't become Podemos/Syriza by simply coming into existence, but did start to shape up our forces in a way that never happened under Austerity 1. The simple idea of linking community organising with industrial struggle was a step forward, though whether community organising was ever meant to be much more than 'having meetings'... who knows.

I've no idea how much the failure to develop has been a conscious decision, following from the feuds smokeandsteam mentioned or more some kind of organisational failure. But, grand old duke of york style, we haven't so much seen the troops lead up and down the hill, more they've been left milling around at the muster point. I'm aware that the people potentially running EIE, locally and nationally, will be mega busy with their day jobs, but FFS get some basic information out there and a way for people to get involved.

 

[hitmouse]

Yeah, and it feels frustrating because to me it seems like there is a lot happening - obviously on the industrial side, but also in terms of community stuff, outside of Acorn, there's foodbanks and warm hubs all over the place, and just like with the covid mutual aid stuff there's the big question of how far it gets left as an apolitical charity sticking plaster and how far it connects to some sense of anger and resistance. Fans Supporting Foodbanks, for instance, seem like an example of something that gets it really right, and manages to occupy that sweet spot between "all in it together" apolitical charity and 15-point-program political dreariness, so the FSF/EIE connection is something that made me feel quite optimistic at first, but dunno what if anything's come of that.
Similarly on the industrial side, the Strike Map regional whatsapps do feel like a really useful and helpful development for connecting people up across union boundaries, but they were launched by Strike Map, a comparatively small and obscure project compared to EIE. Feels like launching something like that would have been a fairly straightforward and easy next step, and I imagine an EIE strike support network would be loads bigger and stronger than the existing ones, but no sign of that.

I'm aware that the people potentially running EIE, locally and nationally, will be mega busy with their day jobs, but FFS get some basic information out there and a way for people to get involved.

Fwiw, while I'm sure there's a lot of strains on the RMT and CWU's resources right now, I think both those organisations are large and well-resourced enough that, if they want to, they could literally make it someone's main day job?

 

[hitmouse]

Also, not the most important thing, but that single - is this what Johnny Lydon died for?* A country with a pop music heritage like the UK should be able to produce something better than that.


*we wish

Also, blimey, I thought you were being a bit harsh there, but that was before I listened to it. It's not quite Come On Eileen, is it?

 

[Wilf]

Yeah, and it feels frustrating because to me it seems like there is a lot happening - obviously on the industrial side, but also in terms of community stuff, outside of Acorn, there's foodbanks and warm hubs all over the place, and just like with the covid mutual aid stuff there's the big question of how far it gets left as an apolitical charity sticking plaster and how far it connects to some sense of anger and resistance. Fans Supporting Foodbanks, for instance, seem like an example of something that gets it really right, and manages to occupy that sweet spot between "all in it together" apolitical charity and 15-point-program political dreariness, so the FSF/EIE connection is something that made me feel quite optimistic at first, but dunno what if anything's come of that.
Similarly on the industrial side, the Strike Map regional whatsapps do feel like a really useful and helpful development for connecting people up across union boundaries, but they were launched by Strike Map, a comparatively small and obscure project compared to EIE. Feels like launching something like that would have been a fairly straightforward and easy next step, and I imagine an EIE strike support network would be loads bigger and stronger than the existing ones, but no sign of that.

Fwiw, while I'm sure there's a lot of strains on the RMT and CWU's resources right now, I think both those organisations are large and well-resourced enough that, if they want to, they could literally make it someone's main day job?

Excellent post which really sums up the frustration and sense of missed opportunity. Suppose it's worth saying this is a long term hole dug by the left more generally, the failure to create something that links communities, everyday life, class and industrial struggle. I'd put the whole Corbyn thing in there as well, a project that was only ever going to succeed if it built something in communities (it didn't). EiE isn't responsible for any of that and looked like it was at least going to occupy that space, the sweet spot that you mention. It is though a massive disappointment if spats and turf wars have got in the way of something that was desperately needed.

 

[Karl Masks]

Isn't the radio silence more down to the fact that the CWU and RMT are busy with their respective strikes? Now perhaps Dave and Mick could delegate a bit more; open the group up to a more autonomous community led process.

 

[hitmouse]

Isn't the radio silence more down to the fact that the CWU and RMT are busy with their respective strikes? Now perhaps Dave and Mick could delegate a bit more; open the group up to a more autonomous community led process.

Maybe, but you'd think that a time when there's strikes going on would be a very good time for a campaign that lists picket line solidarity as one of their major priorities to be pretty active?

 

[Karl Masks]

Maybe, but you'd think that a time when there's strikes going on would be a very good time for a campaign that lists picket line solidarity as one of their major priorities to be pretty active?

I agree. Maybe they can salvage something. I hear the People's Assembly are having (another) march soon.

 

[Karl Masks]

So raising interest rates is meant to ease inflation, conventionally speaking. But I'm hearing that won't work this time. Can someone explain the thinking there?

 

[SpookyFrank]

So raising interest rates is meant to ease inflation, conventionally speaking. But I'm hearing that won't work this time. Can someone explain the thinking there?

The inflationary pressure is caused by global energy prices, post-brexit trade fuckery and lots of other things that have fuck all to do with people finding it too easy to borrow and spend money.

 

[SpookyFrank]

It all seems particularly daft when you realise that rising mortgage costs due to higher interest rates will be a factor in pay rise demands which, according to standard 80's monetarist logic, also fuel inflation.

 

[8ball]

The inflationary pressure is caused by global energy prices, post-brexit trade fuckery and lots of other things that have fuck all to do with people finding it too easy to borrow and spend money.

That and the massive amounts of money printed by the Government and handed to the rich, notably during the pandemic, but also beforehand.

 

[Karl Masks]

i'm a bit worried now

 

[kabbes]

The biggest factor driving the need to raise interest rates, I would say, is the fact that the Fed is doing it. If the BoE doesn’t follow suit, the result is massive depreciation of the pound versus the dollar. Since things like oil prices are set in dollars, that would exacerbate the problems we’re having.

 

[AmateurAgitator]

At the local meeting I attended in Kent there were two main ideas to work with, A. having or calling for a general strike, and B. getting together and going out into the public to try and bring more people into the campaign/movement. I was hoping there would atleast be another meeting and that something would hopefully be done with the two ideas. But instead it appears there will simply be a People's Assembly demo in London? Its certainly disappointing and frustrating.

 

[LDC]

Yeah, all the talk has been for the People's Assembly demo tomorrow in London which seems to be calling for a general election (what a surprise...) although some of the publicity doesn't mention that at all weirdly? I didn't know that the PA were even still going tbh.

Hilariously they're saying the 'autumn offensive' is this demo and then the People's Assembly national conference - in January 2023. Muppets.

Mentioned on the last page was a rally that EiE promoted that on Wednesday 2nd (2 days ago) also demanding a general election, but organised by the TUC. Another raging success for left obviously...

 

[AmateurAgitator]

LDC - just to say that after your unnecessary insults and talking down to me I've now got you on ignore. I've also now got Ax, Pickmans, Belboid and Jeff Robinson on ignore.

 

[8ball]

LDC - just to say that after your unnecessary insults and talking down to me I've now got you on ignore. I've also now got Ax, Pickmans, Belboid and Jeff Robinson on ignore.

Bit sleepy. Thought you said Jeff Goldblum for a second there.

 

[ska invita]

Is there a particular stand out reason the big british trade unions seem to be so toothless?

 

[Serge Forward]

Is there a particular stand out reason the big british trade unions seem to be so toothless?

Anti-union laws and sequestration.

 

[Magnus McGinty]

Is there a particular stand out reason the big british trade unions seem to be so toothless?

The upcoming RMT national rail strikes have been suspended, which suggests that a revisit to the negotiating table is now desired from those controlling the purse strings. So, maybe not toothless.
That aside, there's this weird paradox on here where 'the unions' are both 'not doing enough', whilst simultaneously too bureaucratic and top down to be of any use anyway.
You do realise that they exist as membership organisations within industry rather than political organisations answerable to anyone on the internet who could spend that time wasted complaining organising themselves?

 

[Smokeandsteam]

The upcoming RMT national rail strikes have been suspended, which suggests that a revisit to the negotiating table is now desired from those controlling the purse strings. So, maybe not toothless.
That aside, there's this weird paradox on here where 'the unions' are both 'not doing enough', whilst simultaneously too bureaucratic and top down to be of any use anyway.
You do realise that they exist as membership organisations within industry rather than political organisations answerable to anyone on the internet who could spend that time wasted complaining organising themselves?

One of the most depressing things on here lately has been reading the criticism of trade unions - the ones actually trying to do something, and do it outside of the labourist straight jacket too.

Of course, like a stopped clock, sometimes the criticism is right. Unions are massively flawed and come with the baggage of a century of a specific form of politics and, as you point out, also exist in the actual world rather than on the internet. My own union has threatened me and others who are involved with EiE, the bureaucrats in charge of unions - staff and lay - are by an large either useless or actively hostile.

Some of the criticism- does at least - comes with a coherent set of politics.

But, some of it is beyond the pale and revealing of how remote and divorced these people are: how dare these Fucking Unions call a strike off because the queen has died, why don’t these Fucking Unions organise direct action. Why haven’t these Fucking Unions built thriving community action networks in 4 months when they left had failed to do anything like it for over a century. Why don’t these Fucking Unions do what I think or read in a book they should do. Why aren’t these Fucking Unions like other Fucking Unions in other places that I’ve read about but don’t actually know anything about.

Meanwhile, back on planet earth, the RMT has booted the government and employer back to the negotiating table, the CWU faces a battle for the future of its industry as the employer attempts to destroy terms and conditions and a public service fought for by generations, UCU and others announce strikes over pay and the cost of living and EiE continues (too slowly and often without enough strategic direction but still..) to coalesce people outside of the dead end of labourism.

Some of the criticisms on here reminds me of the debates we used to have with posh student socialist worker paper sellers who used to gather outside our workplace to try to sell us their rag whilst telling us what we didn’t understand about our own workplace and own lives.

 

[Pickman's model]

LDC - just to say that after your unnecessary insults and talking down to me I've now got you on ignore. I've also now got Ax, Pickmans, Belboid and Jeff Robinson on ignore.

Only 57000 to go

 

[Magnus McGinty]

But, some of it is beyond the pale and revealing of how remote and divorced these people are: how dare these Fucking Unions call a strike off because the queen has died

The public seem generally more supportive of these rail strikes than they usually are and this was given a further boost by Lynch’s media performances. Then you get internet ideologues calling the RMT ‘forelock tuggers’ because they don’t want to piss that support away with an easily avoided PR disaster.

 

[Smokeandsteam]

The public seem generally more supportive of these rail strikes than they usually are and this was given a further boost by Lynch’s media performances. Then you get internet ideologues calling the RMT ‘forelock tuggers’ because they don’t want to piss that support away with an easily avoided PR disaster.

For some, the strike isn’t about RMT members and their pay, jobs and terms and conditions. The strike needs to fit with their own wider interests and political priorities. These people are entirely unserious but expect to be taken seriously.

 

[Magnus McGinty]

For some, the strike isn’t about RMT members and their pay, jobs and terms and conditions. The strike needs to fit with their own wider interests and political priorities. These people are entirely unserious but expect to be taken seriously.

They might be surprised to learn that the membership has a broad range of political views including royalists in the ranks!

 

[Smokeandsteam]

They might be surprised to learn that the membership has a broad range of political views including royalists in the ranks!

What, you mean, trade union members are like normal human beings and collectively hold a diverse set of views, some of which you or I may or may not agree with personally ??? And therefore unions have to carefully think about how they maximise unity and collective strength?

Well, you could knock me down with a feather.

 

[chilango]

For some, the strike isn’t about RMT members and their pay, jobs and terms and conditions. The strike needs to fit with their own wider interests and political priorities. These people are entirely unserious but expect to be taken seriously.

Which is fine, unless you* are then promoting these strikes as a core part of a wider strategy of resistance. Which EiE seem to be doing.

It's hard to have this both ways.

* Not "you" specifically, the wider "you".

 

[chilango]

Anyway, all EiE have succeeded in doing - from my perspective - is (re)entrench my long, but reluctantly, held "ultra-left" views that the Unions (and the wider labour movement around them) cannot be a vehicle for serious social or economic change in this country. That will need to come from below and beyond them.