On Saturday, 25 October, thousands marched across Edinburgh in the ‘Scotland Demands Better’ protest, demanding stronger action to tackle poverty and the growing struggle to pay the bills. It culminated in a fun and relaxed mini-festival in the Meadows, complete with food stalls and musical acts.
This relaxed atmosphere meant that the march did not have the fervour and resolve that other protests, such as those about Gaza have demonstrated. And although the message was still strong, I fear it did not make the urgency of the looming crisis clear. The cost of living has worsened significantly, pushing many into poverty. The Scottish government is on track to miss their child poverty target by a substantial margin.
But the tone, perhaps unintentionally, suggested that for many, the cost-of-living crisis is serious, but not yet a true emergency. The signs called for “dignity” and “fairness,” yet the mood was more resigned than angry. Compared with the demonstrations about Gaza, which have filled the same streets with chants and confrontation, this felt subdued.
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and The Poverty Alliance, who organised the event, set out fourteen demands. They ranged from raising the Scottish Child Payment and building more social housing to expanding free travel for under-25s and providing student support equal to the real living wage. These are worthwhile ideas, but without urgency and pressure, it’s hard to see them being implemented. Especially when no one in government seems to take them seriously.
The First Minister acknowledged the march, but only in passing. Rather than promising concrete action, he blamed inaction on the UK government in London, saying that “too often we find ourselves held back by decisions made at Westminster which make matters worse.” It’s a phrase that mirrors the wider defeatist political mood. With the Scottish Government missing its statutory child poverty target last year (child poverty remains at 23 per cent), is tackling poverty really one of the government’s top priorities? It does not feel like it.
The situation is not any better for students. One in five international students and 12 per cent of home students has experienced homelessness at some point of their studies. Many more are trapped in the expensive private rental market, facing soaring energy bills as winter arrives. The protest’s call for better student support barely registered in national coverage, yet it’s emblematic of the wider issue: the poorest are struggling to keep up, while the government’s response lags behind.
In the Meadows, I saw families eating, students chatting, dogs running between placards. It was hopeful, but also comfortable. There was solidarity, but not much anger. And without anger, there may not be change.
Scotland may demand better, but for now, its government can afford to nod politely and carry on. Until the sense of crisis feels real, or better put, becomes impossible to ignore, the fight against poverty risks being stuck in festival mode.
Photo by Andrew D on Unsplash
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Scotland Demands Better—but where’s the urgency?
On Saturday, 25 October, thousands marched across Edinburgh in the ‘Scotland Demands Better’ protest, demanding stronger action to tackle poverty and the growing struggle to pay the bills. It culminated in a fun and relaxed mini-festival in the Meadows, complete with food stalls and musical acts.
This relaxed atmosphere meant that the march did not have the fervour and resolve that other protests, such as those about Gaza have demonstrated. And although the message was still strong, I fear it did not make the urgency of the looming crisis clear. The cost of living has worsened significantly, pushing many into poverty. The Scottish government is on track to miss their child poverty target by a substantial margin.
But the tone, perhaps unintentionally, suggested that for many, the cost-of-living crisis is serious, but not yet a true emergency. The signs called for “dignity” and “fairness,” yet the mood was more resigned than angry. Compared with the demonstrations about Gaza, which have filled the same streets with chants and confrontation, this felt subdued.
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and The Poverty Alliance, who organised the event, set out fourteen demands. They ranged from raising the Scottish Child Payment and building more social housing to expanding free travel for under-25s and providing student support equal to the real living wage. These are worthwhile ideas, but without urgency and pressure, it’s hard to see them being implemented. Especially when no one in government seems to take them seriously.
The First Minister acknowledged the march, but only in passing. Rather than promising concrete action, he blamed inaction on the UK government in London, saying that “too often we find ourselves held back by decisions made at Westminster which make matters worse.” It’s a phrase that mirrors the wider defeatist political mood. With the Scottish Government missing its statutory child poverty target last year (child poverty remains at 23 per cent), is tackling poverty really one of the government’s top priorities? It does not feel like it.
The situation is not any better for students. One in five international students and 12 per cent of home students has experienced homelessness at some point of their studies. Many more are trapped in the expensive private rental market, facing soaring energy bills as winter arrives. The protest’s call for better student support barely registered in national coverage, yet it’s emblematic of the wider issue: the poorest are struggling to keep up, while the government’s response lags behind.
In the Meadows, I saw families eating, students chatting, dogs running between placards. It was hopeful, but also comfortable. There was solidarity, but not much anger. And without anger, there may not be change.
Scotland may demand better, but for now, its government can afford to nod politely and carry on. Until the sense of crisis feels real, or better put, becomes impossible to ignore, the fight against poverty risks being stuck in festival mode.
Photo by Andrew D on Unsplash
Share this:
Like this:
Related