Skip to main content
Work with the NEU
Fighting the cost of living crisis needs a mass movement
TAM KIRBY argues we can freeze energy bills and the price of essential goods, restore the universal credit uplift and abandon the National Insurance hike — so long as we can build a coalition to tax the rich

SATURDAY saw what I hope is the start of building a mass campaign across Britain with trade unions, People’s Assembly groups and community campaigning organisations to call out the Tories and the cost of living crisis they created. Here in Scotland very quickly we went from one protest in Glasgow to events being held in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee.

In Glasgow, the event held jointly by the People’s Assembly Scotland and the STUC had just a week to organise and very dreich weather but the turnout was excellent. What was even better were the numbers of young people not just attending but on the platform speaking.

I was asked to speak and contribute a tune as the representative for the People’s Assembly Scotland. In the run up, when trying to compile my thoughts on what to say, I was reminded of the last crisis the Tories created that had launched the People’s Assembly Against Austerity movement. When I first heard Cameron, Clegg and Osborne tell us continually that “we are all in it together” I wrote a song for my band called “Don’t piss down my back (and tell me it’s raining)” which became the title of our second album.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
The skyline of Canary Wharf in London as the cold snap continues to grip much of the nation, February 14, 2021
Banking / 28 July 2026
28 July 2026

Burnham urged to raise taxes on banks after Barclays reveals 30% rise in pre-tax profits

The skyline of Canary Wharf in London as the cold snap continues to grip much of the nation, February 14, 2021
Inequality / 14 July 2026
14 July 2026

Trade unions call for windfall tax hike to fund social energy tariff to public’s energy bills

CALL TO ARMS: (L to R) STUC poster; St Andrew's Day March and Rally in Glasgow on November 25 2023
Anti-Racism / 29 November 2025
29 November 2025

ROZ FOYER explains the significance and tradition of today’s St Andrew’s Day March and Rally

Roz Foyer
STUC Women’s Conference 2025 / 29 October 2025
29 October 2025

Working-class women lead the fight for fair work and equitable pay and against sexual harassment, the rise of the far right and years of failed austerity policies, writes ROZ FOYER