Let’s march against the “corporate greed” fuelling the cost of living crisis – Kim Johnson MP

“In March alone, finance chiefs in London shared 5.9 billion pounds in bonuses, while more than 1.3 million people – including half a million children – are being forced into poverty this year.”

Kim Johnson MP, urged activists take to the streets on June 18th and demand action on the soaring cost of living. You can read an adapted version of her speech or watch it in full below:

WATCH: Kim Johnson MP addresses the “Enough is Enough: Time to Demand Better” mobilising rally held on June 8th, 2022.

Comrades, we are in the middle of a class war. The left is under attack both from the bosses class and from within our own Party.

We need a mass movement to wage the fight back – which is why I’ll be marching next Saturday alongside hundreds of thousands of other comrades to demand action on the cost of living crisis, an end to attacks on workers and trade unions, and for a better future.

The TUC have just shown that bankers bonuses are at an all-time high – up by 44 percent. Wages are suffering their largest fall in 70 years.

Energy companies are raking in record-breaking profits of above 40 billion pounds, while our bills are rising unchecked.

Rents are being hiked, with stagnating wage packets going directly into the pockets of landlords. Supermarket profits are soaring, while the food prices are spiralling out of control and working people are forced into foodbanks. The CEO of Sainsbury’s has just tripled his salary to 3.8 million pounds. But he is still refusing to pay all Sainsbury’s workers a living wage.

While workers are being squeezed, the fat cats are laughing. This is not a cost of living crisis. This is a crisis of corporate greed. The value of wages this year is expected to fall by at least 500 pounds in real terms. A massive hit to millions already living on the bread line.

In March alone, finance chiefs in London shared 5.9 billion pounds in bonuses, while more than 1.3 million people – including half a million children – are being forced into poverty this year.

This will leave roughly a quarter of the population in Britain – one of the richest countries in the world – living in abject property. In-work poverty is rising rapidly with no signs of slowing. Disastrous practices of fire and rehire are spreading like wildfire, with no opposition from this government.

We have won some U-turns in Parliament, including Sunak’s latest measly package to support people through the price hikes of the next few months.

But instead of calling for more and better targeted funding to support the millions sliding deeper into poverty – out front bench is demanding an investigation into whether the meagre support available is fiscally responsible. Shameful.

We must demand better – A tax on wealth; a 15 pound minimum wage; an end to fire and rehire; repeal of the anti-trade union laws; reverse the privatisation of our NHS.

Comrades, a new deal for workers is not just possible, it’s inevitable. This future is ours to win, it’s in our hands.

Together, next Saturday, we’ll take to the streets in our hundreds of thousands to demand better. The workers united will never be defeated.


Featured image: Kim Johnson MP (second row, second from left) and other members of the socialist campaign group of MPs join a cost of living protest in parliament. 24.03.22. Credit: Kim Johnson MP

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