Where are we marching to?

Now what . . .

By Dan Hodges Published 28 March 2011 12:20

On Saturday the Labour movement played its trump card. By conservative estimates, a quarter of a million people joined the march against the cuts. Setting aside the violent posturing of the public-school revolutionaries, it was a model of organisation. The TUC showed it still has the troops, and the ability to mobilise them.

But what happens next? In fact, what was ever supposed to happen next? Suppose for a moment the shoppers of Fortnum & Mason had been left in peace. Imagine that images of Labour's leader not been juxtaposed with balaclava-clad rioters trashing Top Shop. Or that the monument to the Battle of Trafalgar had not become the scene for the battle of the Olympic Clock.

Even in this rosy scenario, what outcome was expected? Or desired?

I asked some of those attending Saturday's event what their definition of success for the day was. One person admitted they were attending simply because they felt obliged to do so, and thought the whole thing was a waste of time. A second said they believed it was a success because 500,000 had attended. The third said that they hoped – didn't necessarily believe, but hoped – it had helped bring a Labour government that bit nearer.

The turnout was certainly impressive. But what does the number of people marching of itself signify? That these were "ordinary folk" opposing the cuts? Yes, they were. Nurses and fireman and council workers are certainly ordinary folk. But no more ordinary than, say, the farmers, or landlords or village postmistresses who marched ineffectually against fox-hunting.

That ordinary men and women demonstrate in support of a cause that has a direct and significant impact on them, and is dear to their hearts, is not of itself a sound measure of achievement.

I took my son to football on Saturday. All the other parents and kids were there as normal. None of them had chosen go to Hyde Park to listen to Ed Miliband. Then I went to do the shopping in Sainsbury's. The same number of parking spaces were taken. The checkout queues were the same length as ever. No one voiced frustration that they were going to be late to fight the cuts.

This is what the squeezed middle does every Saturday. It's what it did this Saturday.

If you want a measure of success, ask yourself this. What would have happened if you personally had asked a friend or acquaintance not involved in the politics of the labour movement if they were planning to attend Saturday's demonstration? I know what would have happened if I'd asked my friends. They'd have thought I'd taken leave of my senses.

Trust me, I know only too well how hard it is for trade unions to generate profile for the issues that impact on their members. When I used to work for the GMB, every time I phoned the Today programme the first question I would be asked would be: "Are you planning to strike about this?" If the answer was "no" the response was invariably, "We'll get back to you."

But when I was working for the unions there was also a growing realisation that we had to break out of the "Strike, Demo, Protest" ghetto the media were trying to corral us into. On Saturday the movement wasn't trying to break out of that ghetto. We were literally marching right back into it.

Yes there is growing discontent over the cuts agenda. But why do we think that demonstrations are the way to harness it? There is an old communications truism: the medium is the message. Do we on the left not understand that marching is not a medium that the vast majority of the country empathises with?

Middle England does not march. Period. It won't march. It doesn't know people who march. Worst of all, it thinks people who do march are, by definition, strange, and different and mildly threatening. The instant the first progressive foot steps on the roadway, we erect an invisible barrier between ourselves and those we seek to influence.

How do we know this? Because we've marched before. Labour's leadership team has a new narrative, one that charges that Cameron and Osborne are trying to drag us back to the Eighties. They're right, they are. And the reason they're trying to do that is the Eighties was a period of total, uninterrupted and unassailable Tory domination, and total, uninterrupted and unprecedented Labour failure.

But we marched. Boy, could we march. For jobs. Against cruise missiles. For the miners. Against privatisation.

The result? We didn't have many jobs, but we had lots of cruise missiles. We didn't have any miners, but we had a lot of private shareholders.

Oh yes, we can march. But where are we marching to?

More from Dan Hodges

37 comments

Mon, 2011-03-28 16:11 — Des Demona (not verified)

These spammers are quite funny. Clearly using Google Translation. Reminds of the time a political delegation were visiting Japan and a minister's private secretary was described as a personal typewriter.

Tue, 2011-03-29 02:55 — Chris (not verified)

@dan

It raises the profile of the alternative and is something a little different to do on Sat morning other than trying to slash your own wrists of shear boredom while queuing in Sainsburys.

What is the alternative to marching? Sitting at a pc so long your bollocks hurt baiting libdem turds on their pathetic, sanctimonious blogs.

A more productive use of time would be to plan some sort of robbery that would set yourself up for life. Then you wouldn't have to worry about politics and snotty PR consultants and their snotty blogs.

Wed, 2011-03-30 03:00 — james (not verified)

Dan, since my feet still hurt and I got home to find news coverage of vandalism by a few rather than of the peaceful majority, I've some sympathy for your argument here.

The purpose of the march was to show to the government that trade unions and other campaigning organisations (including local Labour parties) could mobilise a large number of people to travel to London and express support for actual deficit reduction through jobs and growth.

This mattered because if such a large number of people could be motivated to spend a Saturday walking 'round the capital they could also be motivated to spend a Saturday walking door-to-door in their neighbourhood delivering leaflets and knocking on doors.

Miliband's decision to address those gathered in Hyde Park makes sense in this context - appealing to people to direct their efforts into electoral politics as a means of effecting change.

Mon, 2011-03-28 16:50 — Dave C (not verified)

"But where are we marching to?"

We're marching towards lots of unglamorous local campaigns. For example, Kingston Hospital plans to cut its budget by 25% over the next five years, leading to the loss of 486 jobs. Please sign the petition here:
http://epetition.kingston.public-i.tv/epetition_core/community/petition/...

Similarly, St. George's Hospital, Tooting will lose 500 jobs. And there's more on the way at Barts and London.

All over the country, trade unionists and others will be campaigning for SureStart centres, building works on schools, libraries, hospitals and police forces. They won't get much national attention but their work will be invaluable.

Mon, 2011-03-28 16:52 — Dan Hodges (not verified)

Hal,

"Dan sadly missed out on because he felt he was too good to turn up and march with us".

Not too sure where I wrote that, Hal. Could you point me to it.

On the broader point:

a) Construct an alternative economic strategy that recognises the importance of deficit reduction, and emphasises where Labour thinks savings could sensibly be made.

b) Construct a broader alternative narrative that gives a clear sense of direction and strategy. Are we moving to the left, sitting in the centre, trying to cultivate the Blue Labour working class centre right, etc

c) Don't march. Do not under any circumstances march.

Oh, and you're right. Ed's civil right's. anti-apartheid references were daft.

Mon, 2011-03-28 17:06 — John Smith (not verified)

I think it's a pity the right-wing of the party decided not to attend. I've heard a number of excuses from friends on that wing of the party, but they've all sounded hollow. A definite theme of bitterness running through them.

I'm not a marcher, Saturday was the first time I took to the streets. I don't consider it be have been a 'revolutionary' moment (or any other trite descriptions) but I do feel it is important for the Labour Party to engage with disaffected groups.

There is genuine anger out there, the 'squeezed middle' may not be marching yet, but vast swathes of their fellow kind will soon find themselves the victims of spending cuts and, in all liklihood, further economic pain. Dainty weekends at Sainbury's will soon become the choice of fewer people as income retracts and mass unemployment sets in.

If Labour cannot find it's way to connecting with these people then I am afraid the taunts of nye sayers that the party is a spent force in British politics will be proved correct.

The right-wing of the party has been relegated to scorning the leadership from the sidelines. They have been singularly useless at coming up with new ideas - I'm afraid a near religious attachment to Blairite economic prinicles isn't enough, we need new ideas. The pointless carping of the right and the smearing of the party's leadership is a sign of a force well and truly spent.

When the right of the party start being productive and giving us real solutions then carping is all you'll be doing. I just hope you can get out of the way and let those with new ideas and new approaches get on with the job of opposing this disasterous government and preparing for government.

Tue, 2011-03-29 11:13 — Phantom Blonde (not verified)

I stumbled across this blog, and to be honest I can't fathom Dan's position. It's the middle class mamby-pamby "don't rock the boat" attitude that many britions fall into where they would rather spend the day stocking up thier 4x4's than accept any kind of responsibility for the fact that just because you earn enough to mortgage yourself into retirement - you are still working class, you get up in the morning, you have to work to pay your bills, you may have an education whether private or government funded, but someone had to pay somewhere along the line for the privilidges you now possess and have the audacity to mock those who do not just simply wish to retreat into the corner. Can't you see? The Gevernment do not care what any of us think, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't stand up and be heard. Those who oppose organised public demonstrations are narrow minded brain washed geeks, The one liberty we have is to take to the streets and let our dis-satisfaction be counted it maight be a waste of time for you, but a little more productive than sauntering around your local sainsburys with your debit card. Wake up. Tories would like to pummel the voice of the working classes and just have us lie down and take a beating whilst the empty our pockets and take what made this country great and smash it into a million pieces because they somehow all lose sight of the fact that they are supposed to be working for the people, but sadly and as always the Conservatives like to put a knife in the back of those who work every day of thier lives just to survive and give thier children a better future. Dan, stop being so up yourself and realise that no immediate change may come of this,but so what? sometimes just making the comment is good enough dont stifle our liberties we barely have none left as it is. Fool.

Tue, 2011-03-29 11:52 — Robert Taggart

Red Ed - since he looks like a boy, talks like a boy, behaves like a boy... chances are he be but a boy ! Liebore - liars lead by cubs marching to their slaughter !

Thu, 2011-03-31 12:28 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

Mr Divine, you are a hard task master!

There's no point in them having mass work days building ecological housing projects. The Planning departments would stop them dead. Mow Presimmion, Barrets or Wimpy talk their kind of talk.

Mon, 2011-03-28 18:19 — Dan Hodges (not verified)

John,

" I just hope you can get out of the way and let those with new ideas and new approaches get on with the job of opposing this disasterous government".

What new ideas and approaches were on display on Saturday?

Seriously.

Mon, 2011-03-28 18:32 — John Smith (not verified)

Dan,

Reconnecting with ordinary people, as well as the Trade Unions. The Blairite strategy of isolating themselves away from the unions, working people and ordinary voters led to the party's defeat.. There were too many stories of accepting favours from the very weathly, too much support given to bankers and finaniciers. The party was seen as abandoning not just it's core supporters, but the great many more floating voters who are not right-wing leaning.

Ed making this speech was itself a new idea; the party can now start reaching out, reconnecting, coming out of its New Labour bunker and seeking new ideas and new approaches, that we're now listening again.

Business as usual is no longer an acceptable strategy, the old ideas have been rejected by the people and many of them are looking for an alternative. If the Labour Party is not seen as listening, discussing and changing we will become a political irrelevance.

Tue, 2011-03-29 13:34 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

You can't change anything really through demonstrations in the UK, they've shot their load ages ago. What is need is to build communes and coops. If all that energy could have used to build some housing project... that would have created real change.

You could have a mass building day. You need to find a piece of land, about 3- 15 acres to build 15 dwellings and is set up in such a way to encourage community, and promote financial and utility independence for the dwellings' inhabitants. This is where energy should be focused not on marches. You could get 'donated' materials and specialised help if you promise to plug them on your TV program. It'll be like a community 'make over' show. An events organiser/s would be handy.

Thu, 2011-03-31 14:24 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

Well get someone who can talk the talk.. it's that simple. Find a 'brown' site and apply for permission. Get someone to design. Get supplies from companies and they get a plug on the TV. Do it like a makeover program but like no other. You need a events manager.

By the way stuart my place is way better than any you see on the TV. My place has the real wow factor. You know those English TV programs where they do up the house, well in comparison to my place they are so so.

Mon, 2011-03-28 19:14 — Dan Hodges (not verified)

John,

I agree with a lot of that, actually.

What I disagree with is that the way to re-engage with "ordinary people" is to go on a demo.

I still have yet to have it explained why marching is an effective communications tool.

I don't think it helps us engage. I think it helps build barriers.

If you don't march you don't back or value the contribution of the unions? That's not sensible politics, that's machismo.

Wed, 2011-03-30 14:22 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

Mr Divine,

Yes, willing to do my bit but will require early finishes to work on my tan and recover from the night before, not sure about the sheep though.

Dan Hodges,

Oh no, I had a feeling that you had more refined tastes Strongbow or Stowford Press but you are getting there.

Wed, 2011-03-30 14:34 — Dan Hodges (not verified)

James,

To be fair, that's a decent point.

Tue, 2011-03-29 14:46 — Dan Hodges (not verified)

Phantom Blonde,

What liberties am I attempting to stifle, exactly?

Sun, 2011-04-03 08:42 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

Mr Divine make me the same offer on the 1st May not April the 1st.

Sun, 2011-04-03 09:05 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

Ist May! Oh no the offer only stands for one day only. Do you wish to accept it?

Fri, 2011-04-01 18:17 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

Perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mon, 2011-03-28 20:27 — John Smith (not verified)

Dan,

It's only one in a large number of methods to communicate. The point is not that marching is in itself a particularly effective way of communicating with people, but it is one step in many. By Ed, and Labour Party members, being there it was in marked contrast to what came before it. It's a way for Ed to say things are changing, and we are listening.

I would also be cautious of ignoring the views of well organised groups who choose to march, looked at Iraq or the tuition fees protests. I think we can agree that listening to those protests would've been beneficial.

I don't think it does build barriers, it certainly built bridges (or at least started to) with the hundreds of thousands present, and those like them who couldn't make it. I think the only people who would be offended by Ed's presence are unlikely to vote Labour, - they're inclined to the right anyway.The traction to be gained by pandering to the right is quickly losing the utility it may once have had and there is more to be gained by opening a dialogue with those we lost since 1997.

There are many reasons why a person wouldn't march; but surely by intentionally staying away and making a point out of not being there a person is signalling they do not support the views of the participants. People have lives, and can't necessarily make all these protests. However, that is different to making a point out of not being there.

It seems odd to me that some Labour Party member's are making a vague political point out of avoiding the march. The protesters oppose what the government are doing, so do we. Many of the demonstrators, under different circumstances, may be naturally inclined to us. Why alienate possible supporters with whom we largely agree, for the sake of a vague political statement?

Tue, 2011-03-29 17:06 — Bodva (not verified)

@Dan Hodges

Thank you for responding.

You asked:
‘How has, "what is possible" been redefined as a result of Saturday?’

a) Even before Saturday the process of mobilising was changing the agenda. In my neck of the woods we were producing posters and leaflets advertising the trains to take into London. We were discussing the issues with people and persuading them that it was better to do something than be passive. We have been working on a number of local issues over the last few years so we have a range of contacts. This sort of activity is an essential part of building a grass-roots organisation (i.e. something more durable than the media-led, one-off mobilisation against the Iraq war). This is being repeated right across the country. Result: we have the start of a new forum that is independent of the mass media.

b) Meeting at the station was a boost to morale in itself and of course the sight of the vast numbers gather on the embankment was even better. People could see they were not alone. As a result everybody who took part is now much more confident to argue the case against the cuts.

c) The media was influenced, all be it marginally. Before the election one BBC programme asked viewers to give their suggestions for what to cut”. The starting point for any discussion was the premise that “cuts are inevitable”. Just recently, some trade union leaders are being asked to give the alternative to the cuts. Of course they are interrupted, belittled and ‘balanced’ by ‘experts’ but alternative policies are beginning to get a hearing.

Will any of this make a difference?
As political commentator you follow the national polls.
You know the profile of Conservative supporters: they are older and have a higher social status than the average. They also have a higher than average propensity to use their vote. This tends to make their vote at local elections quite stable.

You also know that since the general election support for the Conservative Party in the option polls has help up rather well.

So why has their share of the vote dropped so sharply in the last two by-elections in Lewisham? I think local campaigning mat have something to do with it.

Tue, 2011-03-29 17:25 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

Oh no, I suppose it had to happen some day I actually agree with everthing Dan Hodges is saying!

I learnt the last time that I marched in 2007 that it was a complete waste of time, both the BBC and C4 OBs there but when the was no physical problems they never even bothered to feature any of the march.

The only way you are going to have influence is to put yourself forward to serve on public bodies and local pressure groups, vote for AV and form your own political paries. Be aware though, all the above requires a little effort and you can't do it sat in front of your computer, you have to put something into it instead of moaning and knocking back your White Lghting all day!

Mon, 2011-03-28 21:51 — Bodva (not verified)

Unlike myself, Dan Hodges regards himself as part of ‘The Left’. However, my lack of sympathy for ‘Left’ ways of thinking has neither prevented me from being opposed to the whole cuts programme, nor did it stop me from going on the march.

More generally I find Hodges 'right/left" approach to politics to be, literally, one-dimensional. Perhaps this is why can’t follow his argument.

‘Politics is the art of the possible’ is an old saw. The point is to defines what is ‘possible’. The problem with the Labour Party is that it leaves this to the media. But the media is heavily influenced by those with money and power: ordinary people don’t get a look in.

To tackle the problems we face we (i.e. people concerned with solving Britain’s problems) need to build a mass movement. This means winning both working class and small business people. I’m not sure what good it does in calling them ‘Blue’ or ‘centre right’.

As to a viable alternative economic strategy, I already have one. It is concerned with addressing the UK’s chronic balance of payments deficit. This is the crucial problem. The fiscal deficit will disappear if we can generate employment.

As for marching, what is the problem? Really large marches are tiring, if you walk the whole route but they are a very accessible activity and they can even be enjoyable. I can’t see how one could build a mass movement without mobilisations of this sort.

So I don’t see the relevance of the Labour Party to any of this.

Mon, 2011-03-28 22:28 — Dan Hodges (not verified)

Bodva,

How has, "what is possible" been redefined as a result of Saturday?

Wed, 2011-03-30 19:41 — james (not verified)

Dan,

It's a decent point I took from Paul Richards' article "Why we march" - http://www.progressonline.org.uk/columns/column.asp?c=639

Mon, 2011-03-28 13:22 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

They're marching to nowhere.

As David Bryne sang, " We're on the road to nowhere"

Sat, 2011-04-02 00:24 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

And I'll pay for your first class ticket.

Tue, 2011-03-29 00:08 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

Got to agree with Dan Hodges, marching is wasted energy in Britain. There are communes to be built and cooperatives to be formed but people only shout in the street. Its all hot air and no construction is going on.

President of the Anti-Protest League.

Tue, 2011-03-29 22:56 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

So Stuart you what to kip in my place. You can but it'll be a working holiday. I live in a mansion with a few others on some acres and we need wood in the winter. Are you ready for a bit of wood chopping and sheep shearing?

Tue, 2011-03-29 23:15 — Dan Hodges (not verified)

Stuart,

You've just made me spill my White Lightening.

Mon, 2011-03-28 14:57 — Sean (not verified)

Interesting to see you weren't there on Saturday. I think it speaks volumes about the 'squeezed middle' that you'd rather be in Sainsbury's than actually standing up for the rights of others. Saturday wasn't for the middle but for the most vulnerable, the lowest paid and hardest worked.
What the demo on Saturday shows is that ordinary working people are willing to stand together. It may not be a general strike yet but that is the 'road' we are on, to use a tired cliche.

Mon, 2011-03-28 15:14 — Dan Hodges (not verified)

Sean,

If you read the article again you'll see I wasn't at the march because I think marching is counterproductive.

"Tired cliche".

You said it brother.

Wed, 2011-03-30 23:50 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

Stuart:it's 10 hour weeks. Wednesdays and Fridays off. As well as the weekends. Are you up to that?

Wed, 2011-03-30 23:54 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

@James: 'This mattered because if such a large number of people could be motivated to spend a Saturday walking 'round the capital they could also be motivated to spend a Saturday walking door-to-door in their neighbourhood delivering leaflets and knocking on doors.'

maybe it shows this, I'm not sure. Why can't all these people start having mass work days building ecological communal housing projects? If they can march then they can build. And what is the most constructive?

Fri, 2011-04-01 09:39 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

Stuart: In addition to your lodging you will have access to a pool, a massage chair, archery, golf, cycling and roller skating. You can walk to a pub, a set of shops, a billabong and a lake.

At some times of the year you will have unlimited access to the best pure not toxic ganga and booze. And you will be supplied with a 'partner' who will be with you when you attend the Friday Night Swinger Party. Lucky Dip or Lucky Telegraph Pole, call it what you want but does the thought interest you?

How does that all sound?

Mon, 2011-03-28 16:11 — Hal Berstram (not verified)

Well I was at the march and it was an uplifting and inspiring experience which Dan sadly missed out on because he felt he was too good to turn up and march with us. I also thought Ed's speech was superb - of course Dan will say it was useless because he has been bad-mouthing Ed from the very beginning.

What I don't understand from this blog - or anything else Dan Hodges has written, for that matter - is what he thinks the left SHOULD be doing.

It seems to me that according to the Blairite wing of the Labour party (which Dan is presumably a member of), the best way to beat the ConDems is to shut up and sit around lamely while they destroy the social infrastructure of the country.

Well, pardon me if I don't want to lie down in the road and die just yet.

The Labour party would be a much, MUCH more electable proposition if Dan - and everyone like him - would depart and join one of the Coalition parties. Especially as he has no obvious disagreement with their policies.