Ealing North
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Steve Pound MP Ealing North |
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A sign o' the timesFebruary 2003 I was eleven years old when I got dragged off to my first Aldermaston march and I've always promised myself that I wouldn't force my children into politics or protest. Then my fourteen-year-old daughter informed me that she would be going on the Stop the War march last week. To say no would be just as much an attempt to shape her politics as allowing her to go so we set off as a family, although my son preferred to watch QPR at home (Note from son" We won 4-0!"). As usual I experienced mixed emotions. The number of pompous poseurs spouting from the stage left me cold. Are we allowed to say that Jesse Jackson is just plain tedious? The usual parasites from the Socialist Workers pushed their pathetic papers at the Surrey Heath Liberal Democrats but amidst the hangers-on and leeches something new and massive was stirring. Some of the speakers were excellent, but it was the message that really mattered. I felt that we really achieved something on Saturday. Serious politicians are now coming to terms with the reality that there may be American action without a second Security Council resolution and that, under such circumstances, the UK will have to stand aside or withdraw. This will reshape global politics. To give a flavour of the march I hope that the Editor will forgive me for printing my daughter's own words below. If is her generation that feels the strongest, and has the most to lose. These are her words. "I have watched footage of the peace marches from the sixties, seventies and eighties, but until now, all the peace marches have been before my time. My mother calls me an under-aged hippy, and I am strongly opposed to war, however, I do not feel I could fulfil my mother's stereotype until I had been on a march. Saturday the 15th of February gave me such a chance. I awoke with a slight nervous anticipation in the pit of my stomach, I knew events like these in the past had led to violence, but I trusted my parents to take me, and I trusted the unknown masses, marching for peace. Travelling on the tube to join the march, I could sense an unspoken understanding. We were not just passengers, mere strangers to one another. We were travelling as one with the same intents and purposes, and it felt fantastic. After disembarking and following the crowds, I was staggered by the sheer amount of people, all with minds set on the walk ahead. To call it a march is perhaps slightly ironic. It seemed more of a shuffle, and people were continually stopping, to chat, refuel, and repair homemade banners. The sense of camaraderie amongst the crowds was amazing, the atmosphere electric, and the minds set on the task ahead. Chants sprang up from the students marching behind me, and I never thought the tune of Bob The Builder had such a rousing affect on people. Upon arriving in Hyde Park, I was again overwhelmed by the crowds. I followed my parents dutifully, not wishing to be separated, and again felt as one with the people when an announcement was made stating Sky News had put the estimated figure at 1.5 million people. And still they came. I can only hope now Tony Blair will sit up and take notice of the people. Being to young to vote, I have no say in the running of this country, but I hope that my voice was heard on Saturday." |
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| Disclaimer | Copyright | Designed by Bassam Mahfouz. Promoted by Julian Bell, The Labour Party, Ruskin Hall, 16 Church Road, W3 8PP on behalf of Steve Pound MP |
