March for the Alternative

Along with an estimated 500,000 other people a large contingent from Lewisham Labour marched through Central London on Saturday in opposition to the speed and the depth of government cuts. This was a peaceful and good natured demonstration with a real carnival atmosphere. We're beginning to feel government policy really bite in our borough and people have a real sense that public services are under attack. The turnout on Saturday showed that there are huge numbers of people who disagree fundamentally with the economic approach the government is taking.

There are real concerns over the effects of cuts on worse off communities like Lewisham and there is concern that a cabinet of millionaires can never really appreciate how difficult life is for som eof our fellow citizens. There is also anger that the Lib Dems, who could have forced the Tories into government on their own, won't stand up for the people who put them into power. And there is a fear that in spite of all the pain and suffering, in the end it won't work and we won't see the economy growing and we won't see more jobs or more investment.