Standing on the shoulders of giants

In a sincere plea for a reformed, inclusive democracy, author and commentator Owen Jones implored a Festival of Debate audience (March 9) to commit to actively taking part in uniting against the Establishment.

Speaking at a packed University of Sheffield meeting, he said, “I want to address this culture of redirecting our anger to our neighbours. This idea that you’ve been mugged and so your less deserving neighbour should be mugged more.

“Why are we not confronting the mugger? We have to stop blaming each other and start to build a society that works in our interests – not just the few at the top,” Owen said.

In partnership with the Festival of Debate, the University of Sheffield invited Owen Jones to host a discussion on his latest book, The Establishment, and his personal mission to agitate change.

Owen spoke of the need to remove the ‘revolving door’ of power and shared interests that form the establishment and address how they are holding the country to ransom for personal gain.

“The Establishment is made up of powerful groups who, in a democracy, still feel they need to protect their interests,” he said.

“They seem to have this philosophy that can best be described using the cosmetic company slogan: ‘Because I’m worth it’ – this is what binds them together.

“But politics is supposed to be a service, not a launch pad for a private sector career,” he said.

Trade unions

When the floor was opened, Jane, a member of the audience, asked: “What role can trade unions play in challenging the establishment?”

“Trade union’s provide our biggest democratic movement,” Owen said. “But they are being monumentally demonised, airbrushed and ignored by the mainstream media – who have the cheek to refer to them as ‘union barons’.

“They have made trade unionism something to be ashamed of. This needs to change. So the Labour Party is bankrolled by the every-day working people of this country? That’s something to be proud of.”

But, Owen suggested, the movement needs to adapt not only to organize in the workplace but also in the wider community.

“Unite already have an initiative like this that other unions can learn from, Unite Community, so there are good things happening, but we need to do more to take on the anti trade union laws that are battering the movement,” he said.

Another audience member, Michael, commented: “I am disheartened by the growing apathy; nothing is causing enough change.”

“I don’t think it is apathy,” Owen replied. “It’s resignation. People are left without hope that politics is the vehicle for change. But forcing the debates into mainstream media is an achievement in itself.

“Never in our history have we overcome inequality because the powerful simply felt like it; universal suffrage wasn’t given because those in power woke up feeling generous one day.

 Fight for rights

“People had to fight, and at great cost. Think of the Tolpuddle Martyrs who fought for the rights and dignity of working people, or the suffragettes who fought for gender equality.

“We stand on the shoulders of giants, and the establishment’s only hope depends on our resignation.”

This resonated with politics student Ben Hall, 20, who said, “Being reminded of the success of the social movements of the past that achieved change gives me some hope for the future.”

Owen went on to talk about how benefit claimants and immigrants have been demonised to distract us from the more destructive behavior of the rich.

“Benefit fraud – a crime – costs the UK an estimated £1.2bn a year. Corporate Tax avoidance – a grey area – costs us £25bn,” he said.

“We don’t see benefit claimants drawing up elaborate deals with accountancies. And yet we have Benefits Street on TV – I’d actually like to see Tax Dodgers Street.”

Sanctions  

Ruthless benefit sanctions have made life unbearable thousands of people under the Conservatives.

Owen told the audience about a 60-year-old man from Manchester, Steven Taylor, who is out of work and unable to get a job in his local supermarket.

“He’s been selling poppies for the British Legion but has now had his benefits sanctioned because he’s ‘not trying hard enough’ to find work,” Owen said.

“Compare that to the bank bailout in 2008. It’s socialism for the rich and capitalism for everyone else.

“The threat is not below, the threat comes from above,” he said. “We need to confront the powerful, not fight against one another.”