Why I joined Left Unity Suzy Gillett

Suzy Gillett with Andrew Burgin

Over the last two weeks more than 7,000 people have signed up to the call to discuss a new party of the Left in Britain. Across the country more than 70 local groups have been formed which are not only discussing how to set up this party but taking action as well – whether against the Bedroom Tax, workfare, benefits cuts or defending the NHS – Left Unity activists are at the forefront of the resistance to austerity. Here Suzy Gillett the new Kennington organiser outlines her reasons for getting involved.

I have joined Left Unity as it appears to be the creation of an open new form of political activism that is attracting a wide range of people who do not see their beliefs, ideas about the future society that their children and grandchildren will inherit being given any thought by the current political parties. That a radical overhaul of the system is needed is being given serious thought, what new economic model will take us out of this spiralling separation between the rich and the poor. I want to be part of a movement that envisages a positive future, a society of equality, non-military intervention and clearly says ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

I have lived in London for over 40 years, attending local comprehensives, youth clubs, art schools, travel by public transport, cycle, buy food conscientiously, recycle, use a water meter, have been treated by the NHS, received benefits when out of work, when in ill health, work and pay taxes.

That the life I lived is no longer possible for the next generation, that rather than an improvement for my daughter, everything is in reversal,

When my taxes no longer pay for youth clubs, when comprehensive education is fragmented, art school’s cost over £3000 a year to attend, that food is contaminated by toxic monsanto, that multinationals selling coffee don’t pay tax, that my local bookshop doesn’t exist because the wholesaler doesn’t pay tax, because the treatment that saved my life three times at the NHS is no longer available, that between jobs I could be sent to work for free at a multinational supermarket in the workfare programme, that the youth club I went to twice a week to play pool with my neighbours from the surrounding estates interweaving our lives for lifelong friendships outside of class/race boundaries have permanently closed, that my streets are policed by cctv cameras that make me feel I am in ‘Brazil’/1984, that my friend’s can’t visit me as they are refused a visa, that there is a family who have inherited the spoils of hundreds of years of robbery are given titles and more wealth are given power to interfere with parliament despite us beheading one of their ancestors in 1649 and that in restoring them to power they signed an agreement not to interfere, that the Corporation of the City of London is still running the show, that banks have gone from the place of trust to deception and robbery, that the parks and commons are ‘rented’ out to profit making companies denying me access to the green lungs of the city, that transport costs restrict my travel, that driver’s that kill cyclists are not considered murderers, that common land is now private property, that rather than leaving my daughter in an improved place I leave her in an impoverished place, because I didn’t try to do something about it.