By Sheena Matthews
The weekend of March 25-26 was so good. On the Saturday I marched with about 500 others from the Hexagon in Reading to the famous HMP Reading.
The sun actually shone; the Go Dynamite Community Samba Band was wonderful; the many banners signalled local arts, history (‘it might not be a good history but it’s our history’); Pride and demands to unlock the prison and let culture in.
People supported the marchers along the route and in the Abbey Ruins the speeches were all about wanting the site to be an investment in the arts, culture and tourism for Reading and the surrounding area – crying loudly to the Ministry of Justice to consider the gaol’s potential for real value not just the money. Who cares? We care.
On the Sunday, Earley Town Council had its Huge Earley Litter Pick; the hugest ever. There were 129 volunteers in 11 groups across the town, amassing a mountain of litter bags for Wokingham Borough Council to shift.
It was a great example of the town council, voluntary environmental groups, and the private sector working together. In Whitegates our local residents welcomed a group of Ukrainian refugees, working in the rain, tackling an anti-social problem together. A thankless task? No – because we care about our environment and making a difference.
This week over a decade of austerity will get worse. On top of massive fuel costs and ever-increasing food bills, many household bills (phone, internet, water) will rise with inflation. Not so for many household incomes. Unless you are one of the 1% likely to benefit from the Chancellor’s last budget many households will be worse off.
But unlike past claims that ‘there is no magic money tree’ for public services this government is wasting money or is allowing unscrupulous people to benefit at others’ expense. The government’s own watchdog has criticised it for waste and not achieving value for money.
As things deteriorate and fraud against taxpayers becomes normal and tolerated, public trust in the integrity of public services get eroded.
Governments choose their priorities. Quick fixes and sticking plaster policies unravel in the end but meantime many families will suffer. Who cares that more kids are going hungry this year? That schools are in need of repair? Hungry kids in falling down schools with overstretched teachers don’t learn. That is a choice, it’s false economy and damages futures. Sure Start isn’t a luxury it is social protection, family support and investment in children. If every child matters, shouldn’t we care more?
Not everyone is suffering from the rising price of fuel price and water. Some industry bonuses are eye-watering. Water is wasted and rivers and beaches are polluted but dividends are paid before problems are fixed.
The social care sector is broken. Changing the plaque on the doors of the Health Department hasn’t raised the standards of social care. There is lack of oversight of care homes and supported housing whilst owners profit. But who cares?
The government is pouring money down the drain sticking a plaster on the inhumane and broken refugee and asylum system. We are funding cruelty. Who cares?
Broken promises – where is the new hospital programme and transformation of NHS infrastructure. Yes, the pandemic and a war have had their impact but without long-term thinking and planning we will continue to limp from crisis to crisis. The climate change targets have been watered down; investment in skills and technology for a greener economy, in insulated and sustainable housing are battling against the fossil fuel lobby.
What will be the impact on the future of today’s young people? Who cares?
Time to stop assuming that more of the same will fix the challenges we face. Time to stop the empty rhetoric of ‘working hard’ and ‘learning lessons’ but with no evidence of change.
As Oscar Wilde said, “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.”
Who cares? We do. Vote for a kinder society on May 4.
Sheena Matthews is the Labour ward member for Whitegates at Earley Town Council
