Richard James

[Richard James @Brasstub]

Incredible, an unforgettable fight by men women, communities here and abroad. UTFW

[Reel News @ReelNewsLondon]

Duke of Devonshire's exclusive Mayfair bookshop occupied as fury grows over his decision to raise rents to Irish farmers from £500 to £5,000

His ancestors stole this land in 1753; this mad rent rise will force farmers off land that they have cultivated for hundreds of years

[Steve Hall @ProfHall1955]

For those sick and tired of Thatcherite (neoliberal) fantasies about us all being 'better off these days', here are a few indisputable facts. I'll keep this as short and simple as possible - sorry about the 'averages', but there's a brief disaggregation below.

In the 1970s, despite the supply-driven stagflation, ordinary people had far more disposable income compared to their living costs. House prices were about 4 times the average yearly wage. Whole families could be raised on one wage while wages tracked - tracked, not caused - inflation. Employment was high and the welfare safety net and public services were robust. Benefits were closer to the average wage and covered all basic living costs. Food banks were virtually non-existent. Overall, our society was robust enough to cushion the income-shock.

46 years of Thatcherism implemented by all parties led us by the nose into global neoliberalism's financial crisis in 2008. Our financialised, deindustrialised, hollowed-out societies were kept bobbling around on an air cushion of mounting private debt that eventually, for too many people, became unpayable. The bonuses of bankers who caused this disaster were hardly affected, which prompted some critics to say this is just the system working normally. What the rest of us got, post-crash austerity, has led us into a disastrous situation.

The current cost of living and asset crises have left people with an average 5.4% drop in disposable income, the steepest decline on the record that began in the post-war austerity of the 1950s. The bottom percentile lost 10% of their purchasing power. House prices were inflated from the 1980s, due mainly to irresponsible lending. Average mortgages and rents are 8 times yearly salaries. Real wages have been stagnant following the 2008 crisis while de-unionisation and weak contracts have all but collapsed wage bargaining. Most young people are locked out of inflated asset wealth and lifetime earning potential - the first modern cohort to be in that unenviable position. Older generations have benefitted from asset inflation while wealthier households have been insulated.

If we disaggregate this simply, the young and the poor have been hit catastrophically. 22% of the population are in deep, objectively calculated poverty. 29% of children live in relative poverty. Many locales are virtually derelict. Food banks are handing out 3 million parcels per annum. Work in the 'gig economy' is precarious and unreliable. Universal credit is historically low compared to living costs. High energy, food and housing prices and a severely weakened welfare state, which today's ghoulish politicians want to weaken further, have created severe hardship amongst the lowest income decile, way worse than the 1970s.

This is a highly unstable, politically volatile situation, as we have seen with the return of national populism. Neoliberalism has been a disaster. Anyone who disputes this is fantasising or deliberately lying.

[Double Down News @DoubleDownNews]

Israel Lobby EXPOSED: What REALLY Happened at the BBC
@pularjs

[Unite the union: join a union @unitetheunion]

Amulet Security workers at the Bank of England strike over pay freeze.

"The Bank of England can more than afford to pay these workers, who do a vital job protecting its assets. Our members will have our full support every step of the way." @UniteSharon

[Unite the union: join a union @unitetheunion]

✈️ ‘I work at one of the UK’s major airports and can’t afford to fly on holiday’. 
This week is #LivingWageWeek & Unite members are fighting for a wage they deserve. 
Pls comment, share & show your support ✊
@Unite_NorthWest

[Unite North West @Unite_NorthWest]

Solidarity to James Walker members 🚩

Workers have entered phase 2 of industrial action today, after the firms failure to move on its below-inflation pay offer of 3%.

A company which made £12m in profit last year, can afford to offer our members a much better pay deal ✊

[Paul Nowak @nowak_paul]

The ECHR isn’t a wish washy nice lefty liberal thing to have.

It’s a backstop for fundamental rights, including the right to strike. https://t.co/ZQVm2KzzQV

[Richard James @Brasstub]

https://t.co/ZCm5F0m2uM

[Richard James @Brasstub]

Help Us Hold Employment Judge Lancaster to Account https://t.co/3qgqYmzMGR

[lan Byrne MP @IanByrneMP]

A huge game at Anfield today for the Champions.
The atmosphere will be electric but spare a thought for those less fortunate if you’re lucky enough to be going.
Bring a 🥫& drop it at our @SFoodbanks hub by the Kop from 1:30pm.
#RightToFood
#HungerIsAPoliticalChoice

[Donna Scully @Donna_Scully]

We were rammed this morning at Sunday Breakfast Club, we hadn’t a morsel left at the end. It sometimes feels like the ‘loaves & fishes’ parable & it floors me how our kitchen volunteers keep pushing food out no matter how many turn up. They are incredible. #ittakesavillage #heros

[Unite North West @Unite_NorthWest]

This week we welcomed our friends from @UNITEHERE26 🇺🇸, in support of their dispute with employers Aramark at Fenway Park ⚾️ over pay, job security and automation.

Sending a message to @LFC and @RedSox owner John Henry ���� “Pay your workers, settle the contract.”

[Unite North West @Unite_NorthWest]

UNITE WIN ✊

"This victory could not have been secured without the hard work and solidarity of our members. Those looking to protect their workplace conditions should join Unite and get their colleagues to join too.” Samantha Marshall, regional officer.

[Unite North West @Unite_NorthWest]

500 Stagecoach drivers ballot for strike action over pay 🗳️

“There is still time to avoid strike action but that requires Stagecoach to put forward an offer our members can accept.” Mike Woods, @unitetheunion regional officer.

[Unite North West @Unite_NorthWest]

1,500 construction workers across 34 contractors at the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria, will be enacting a work-to-rule policy after members voted strongly in favour of industrial action over the refusal to pay Sellafield-specific allowances.

[Unite North West @Unite_NorthWest]

VICTORY FOR LIVV HOUSING WORKERS ✊

Over 8 months of industrial action, standing together through all conditions, our members have secured a much improved pay offer.

Well done to all involved 👏 This is what fighting back and winning looks like!

[LCG @lawrencecg]

Brilliant news. Congratulations to all involved.

[John Baker @Citizen_baker]

On this day in 1985, 56 football fans never returned from Valley Parade. Sadly this doesn't get noticed. #RIP56

[Unite North West @Unite_NorthWest]

📢 Fantastic speech from @unitetheunion rep, Kevin Byrne.

On International Workers’ Day, our members at Livv Housing continue to stand shoulder to shoulder in their fight for a fair pay offer.

Solidarity to you all ✊

#MayDay2025