Please advise me on how to become more politically active

[jinsei]

I hate what the Tories are doing to this country. Hate it. :( I find myself frequently seething with rage these days. I want to stand up and be counted, but not entirely sure what to do.

I sign petitions, I write letters to my MP, and this weekend I have written to several members of the House of Lords. I would find it difficult to go out on lots of protests as I work FT and try to prioritise time off for spending with my dd. I would love to join a political party but don't feel that there is one I really identify with. Typically, I vote Labour, because they are not the Tories, but I don't feel that they have a coherent set of policies and there are no strong positive reasons drawing me to join them at the moment. Have thought about the green party too, but my perception of them is that they primarily care about environmental issues, and while I agree that these are vitally important, I don't feel passionate enough to go out and campaign about them.

I feel that I need to do more, that we should not just stand by and watch while the Tories wreck everything of value in this country. But what to do?

Please give me some ideas!

Have you considered the LibDems?

Claig, I would have considered the lib dems a few years back. But I feel that they have sold out to the tories and are guilty by association. I cannot forgive them for voting in favour of the NHS reform bill, among other things. And though I like some individual Lib Dem politicians, I think Clegg is an unprincipled twat.

jinsel-

Good question. I think many people are in the same position.

You've also mentioned most of the things that people do to try to make a difference. I agree that there aren't really any parties (certainly not any which have any chance of exercising power) which represent the interests of the majority instead of the corporations and the very rich.

The main thing to do is to be out there in the streets whenever protest happens. I realise you work full time. It's hard to do both. Often, though, protests occur on the weekend for this very reason. See if you can join in with them.

Once you start showing up to protests, you'll meet other like minded people, and you'll become aware of other things you can do, organisations you can join, etc. that could make a difference.

If you're short on time, but have a bit of spare cash (unlikely, I know...), consider donating some money to campaign groups like 38 degrees, or Liberty (www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/index.php) to list just two examples.

Finally,maybe one of the most important things you can do is to join a union. Have you investigated which unions you could do to represent you? Maybe I could help if you tell me what profession you're in...

Anyway, I'm glad you're motivated to do something. There is a rising tide of consciousness out there, and I strongly believe big change will come soon!

I think claig was making a joke. ;)

ttosca, thanks for the ideas.

I have thought a lot about joining a union, and know which one I would join. I guess I just feel a bit uncertain about the issue of going on strike. I am in a fairly senior position at work, and feel that a lot of people - above and below me in the hierarchy - might be a bit about me going on strike. Also, truth be told, workers in my organisation have very good terms and conditions compared to many others doing comparable work. We have the unions to thank for this, of course, and so a part of me feels that I should support them. But on the other hand, I think other people are being screwed a whole lot more than we are, and I don't want to devalue the very valid protests of other workers by striking about something that I don't necessarily think is that valid. So I feel a bit conflicted about the whole thing. Does that make any sense?

I don't know about protesting at the weekends. DP often works at weekends, so I have sole charge of dd. Do people take their kids with them on demonstrations, and is it safe? DD is six. One of my earliest memories as a child is of talking to Tony Benn at a Labour party rally when I was around five so I guess my parents thought it was ok to take us along, but do people still do this? And is it fair on the kids? Also, how do people find out about what protests are happening when.

I am time poor, but actually, I do have cash to spare, and would definitely consider making a donation. I will have a look at the organisations you have mentioned.

Thank you for the ideas - and keep them coming!

I did think it was rather an odd suggestion re the lib dems, but didn't want to be rude.

There are few internet protest groups that collectively write letters, tweet, face book and blog.

I also think you should never underestimate the difference you can make to how others think. The great thing about MN is the diverse opinions and experiences. It is possible that just through talking with others you can start to change the culture around you. The same at work.

I don't advocate becoming a joyless bore! but if you can make, just one person think, that is where the real battle is.

I feel a bit like you have always been a labour supporter but still find it hard to forgive them for supporting America so blindly with regards to Iraq. I really liked Gordon Brown though he seemed very genuine to me in wanting to help the poor and families in particular.
I am leaning more towards the greens as I think they are socialists but I think they will never be elected on a grand scale as people are to selfish. They would rather have cheap petrol than consider walking or cycling if the price of it goes up.

jinsel-

But on the other hand, I think other people are being screwed a whole lot more than we are, and I don't want to devalue the very valid protests of other workers by striking about something that I don't necessarily think is that valid. So I feel a bit conflicted about the whole thing. Does that make any sense?

Yes, but just because you join a union, doesn't mean the union will decide to go on strike. Your union might have very good relations with your company. Furthermore, you union could decide to strike for lower-paid workers, which you could support.

RE: Protests...

You have to know where to look, I guess. Once you start getting involved, then you'll know the websites to visit. You can even join mailing lists if you want.

Are protests safe? I would love to simply answer 'yes'. In reality, I would have to give a qualified 'Usually'. Rarely do protests turn violent. When they do, it's a minority who are violent, and when they are violent, it is not towards the crowd or the people in it, but towards property and anyone or anything perceived as being 'in authority'. In my experience, it is usually very easy to avoid the violence. It starts off small, and then gets bigger. You'll know it's happening, or about to happen, and there is plenty of time of move away from the source of the trouble.

The worst violence or state of discomfort I have experienced has been at the hands of the police - either shoving me in a direction or 'kettling' me in a location. As a parent, it's very unlikely the police will even touch you. You may, inadvertently, get kettled if the police are 'overenthusiastic'.

I know this all sounds scary ;), but in reality, the vast majority of protests are very safe. Stick with the other adults (not kids wearing black), parents, and older protesters are you should be fine.

If you want to have a go, here is a good starter protest for you that should be as safe as a protest could possibly be:

Austerity Isn't Working 'dole queue' guidance

Posted on Tue 20th Mar 2012, 6:44pm

Tomorrow is Budget Day, and over 800 people have pledged to attend our Austerity Isn't Working Queue outside Downing St at 11am including Caroline Lucas MP, economists Andrew Simms and Richard Murphy and campaigners from the Robin Hood tax. (Press release here; Facebook event here; callout here)

The queue will form at EXACTLY 11am outside the gates of Downing St. Please get in line BANG ON 11am, flashmob style, in pairs, with the line stretching towards Trafalgar Square.

'Unemployment officers' in high visibility jackets will be on hand to usher you in to shape and provider further assistance.

See you on Whitehall!

www.ukuncut.org.uk/blog/austerity-isnt-working-dole-queue-guidance

Thanks ttosca. The problem with the union is that it has voted to strike a couple of times recently, and I didn't really agree with that decision. Actually, neither did a lot of the members but they felt they had to support the strike anyway, as they were union members. I'm not sure if I can go into my reasons for not supporting the strike without outing myself, but if I did join the union, I would feel obliged to support whatever decisions the union took - and I'm a bit uncomfortable about that tbh.

Thanks for the info about protests - I will start looking out for what's going, and maybe brave it for one or two. DD is all up for the idea! I'd love to come tomorrow but unfortunatel, not based in London and can't take annual leave at such short notice. But will have a look at the uk uncut website in case there is anything else of interest.

kerstina - it's difficult isn't it, when there isn't any obvious alternative to the bunch of muppets we have at the moment! Not looking forward to the budget tomorrow. :(

No problem, jinsel. ;)

Have an eye on the UKUncut website:

www.ukuncut.org.uk/

There should be plenty of updates on upcoming protests on there.

All the best.