We really are in this together

Story published on Women's Views on News, October 22, 2012

WVoN spoke to some of the many women who took part in Saturday’s anti-cuts march.

Two thirds of public sector workers are women, so it was no surprise that there were lots on a march protesting government cuts, nor that many had lost their jobs.

Speaking to those on the march, it’s clear that feelings run high.

Adele from Nottingham was made redundant over a year ago after returning from maternity leave. “I want a sustainable economy with public sector investment. We are not saving money, the deficit is growing,” she said.

Lydia Dalton, a social worker from Ealing, West London was redeployed in 2010.

“The disabled people I worked with were left with no service. I am marching to protect the services we have and regain those already lost.

“I don’t think the 99 per cent should pay for the problems caused by the 1 per cent.

“You can see the cuts biting now and they have only implemented the first 20 per cent,” she said.

“I’ve been made redundant from a job I was doing for 28 and a half years, helping people, making sure disabled people get a fair service. It’s a disgrace to say we are British,” said Jane Oliver from Southend on Sea.

“The cuts to services are particularly harming women if you look at cuts to in-work tax credits like childcare credits it really is women who are suffering,” said Sonia Sager of the Battersea Labour Party.

“In terms of the impact on the economy as a whole it’s mainly women who are in part time work,” she said.

“I want my grandchildren to have the same as I had. A good NHS, good schools, things they can do. There is absolutely nothing they can do now. I want jobs for them.

“Mr Cameron has got to listen to his people. We’ve had a fantastic Olympics and we want that to carry on,” said Mrs Cooper, a pensioner from Nuneaton.

Nadia Clarke, a wheelchair user from Halifax, West Yorkshire was marching against cuts to her personal care budget.

“I won’t have any PA’s, I won’t have any care, I won’t be able to come to things like this. It will cut my independence, social skills, everything,” she said.

“They are on about closing our local hospital. The other one is a 20 minute drive away. That is no use for A & E,” said Becca from Bolton.

“I don’t know how my three children are going to pay back their university fees. I’m just glad my youngest left school last year,” said Debbie Salmon, from Sutton.

“I want to support all the people who are losing their jobs. We all need to stand together and fight and make sure we do things that are going to work better in future,” said Jessica who works for the GMB union.

“The cuts have affected everybody across the country and if they haven’t affected them they have affected someone they know,” said Carole Clarkson from Hull.

“The government really are here to punish ordinary people. They are discriminating and demonising the disabled and unemployed,” said Valerie Sissons, from Chessington in Surrey.

“Those who have got jobs are frightened about losing them. [The government] is very much about divide and rule and this is about bringing people together,” she said.

And there was a warning to Labour. “Miliband is not welcome here today,” said Sissons.

“The Labour party needs to get its act together and remember its grass roots voters. Stop trying to pursue government cuts because they will be doing the same thing only maybe not quite as hard. Unless they remember who they are supposed to represent they are going to get beaten again.

“We want a general strike.

“The rest of the country is waking up to this as well. We won’t give up without a fight there’s no way we are going to roll over while the rich get richer and the poor poorer.

“To nick Cameron’s phrase, we really are in this together. There is no way we are going to roll over and take all these cuts when the money is in the system,” she said.