Jarrow March diary Oct 2011

Just finished a section of the Jarrow March from Nottingham down to Milton Keynes. Fantastic solidarity and support all along the route.

With the Jarrow march on its arrival in Loughborough - 17th Oct

Arriving in Leicester with the Trades Council and Leicester Civil Rights campaign

After Nuneaton, the march took a detour into the West Midlands – through Coventry, where it was greeted by Dave Nellist and the Coventry Socialist Party. I couldn’t make this part of the route and rejoined later in Northampton.

We upset the Vice Chancellor and local Tory MP at Northampton University, by holding a noisy protest against the loss of the Philosophy Department and vital support staff. See report: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/13067/31-10-2011/jarrow-marchers-in-solidarity-action-at-northampton-university

Youth Fight For Jobs stands against job cuts wherever they are happening – we need to invest in education and public services, not throw more people on the unemployment scrapheap. Young people deserve a decent future – that was why I was marching.

Finally in Milton Keynes on 30/10

I also helped make up a chant ( to the tune of the chorus of that hopelessly optimistic football classic ‘Ally’s Tartan Army’ – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcE86JmIN3E ).

We are the Jarrow marchers
We are with the RMT (RMT!)
When we get to London Town,
We’re going to bring the government down,
‘Cos we’re not going to work for free! (For free!)

We are the Jarrow marchers
We are with the PCS (PCS!)
When we get to London Town,
We’re going to bring the government down,
‘Cos we’re not paying for the bankers’ mess! (Bankers’ mess!)

We are the Jarrow marchers
We are with the FBU (FBU!)
When we get to London Town,
We’re going to bring the government down,
‘Cos we’re with UCU, CWU and BECTU too! (BECTU too!)

We are the Jarrow marchers
We are with the TSSA (TSSA!)
When we get to London Town,
We’re going to bring the government down,
‘Cos we won’t let ordinary people pay! (People pay!)

We are the Jarrow marchers
We are with UNITE (UNITE!)
When we get to London Town,
We’re going to bring the government down,
When workers and students unite (AND FIGHT!)

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150902518785652

Chant by Alex Moore, Iain Pattison and myself – composed on the Jarrow March from Northampton to Milton Keynes 30.10.11

Big thanks to all the marchers and everyone who helped: Becci, Bea, Nev, Dave Roberts, Attila the Stockbroker for a wonderful benefit gig and everyone in Nottingham, Leicester, Nuneaton and Northampton Socialist Party, who worked hard organising the route, designing flyers and banners, organising socials and accommodation, also the Trades Councils, and all who supported us and made us feel welcome en route.