After the general election – write the script for what comes next
By: Nick Dearden
Date: 9 June 2017
In the last six weeks we’ve seen that change is possible.
The general election was called because the prime minister insisted there was too much opposition to her plans in parliament. We were told that this general election was going to go in one direction. The most powerful media in the country threw everything at it.
Out there in the country something important happened
People who’d never voted before got involved in campaigning. Thousands of young people didn’t simply vote, but pounded the streets telling other people to vote. They made a difference.
Global Justice Now doesn’t support any political party and tries to work to change the policies and visions of parties across the spectrum. We had more success than ever before in terms of influencing opposition parties on trade, on energy, on aid,on foreign policy.
But this election was one of the most significant of modern times. The right of the political spectrum put forward policies, rhetoric and a vision which threatened everything we hold dear – attacking migrant rights and human rights, and fostering an insular and selfish approach to the rest of the world.
It didn’t wash. People power created the most significant upset of modern electoral history. We don’t know what will happen next. The script has not been written.
You can play a part in writing it
During the election political parties seem like the only thing that matters. But long-term change has always been pushed from below, by movements: from abolishing slavery, to winning the vote for working people, from the anti-apartheid movement to Make Poverty History.
Politics in Britain is in flux. Events could move in a number of directions. If you want to ensure they move towards a more democratic, sustainable and equal world, we need you to get involved. Become part of the movement.
As a member of Global Justice Now you will make our voice louder, our message more powerful, and our movement stronger. You’ll be part of our democracy and able influence the direction of our campaigns.
As individuals, we’re weak. But as part of a movement, we can change history. We can write the script for what comes next.