Regressive Left back cost of living ‘lifeline’ as Luton to hold Enough is Enough rally

Luton dance-punk outfit Regressive Left have helped organise a rally in town to fight the cost of living crisis with the frontman Simon Tyrie calling the Enough is Enough campaign a “lifeline” for struggling Lutonians. 

More than half a million people have already signed up to the national movement, which has already held massive rallies in Glasgow, London, Liverpool, Manchester and other parts of the country, and is set to launch in Luton with a free event at St Mary’s Church on Thursday (September 22).

Eddie Dempsey, Assistant General Secretary of the RMT Union, Zarah Sultana MP, GMB organiser and NHS activist Helen O’Connor are confirmed to speak at the rally on Church Street, from 7pm.

The Luton event will come as the campaign, which demands a return to the pre-April price cap on energy bills, a cost-of-living pay rise for British workers and an end to food poverty, has announced a National Day of Action on October 1, which will see protests against corporate greed and for striking workers spread across Britain.

Luton, surrounded by a sea of wealth, has the highest homelessness rates in the country of any town, nearly half its children living in poverty and an average life expectancy eight years below the national average. The @eiecampaign is a lifeline & every Lutonian should be there https://t.co/CO0czWdVaB

— thierry ennui (@timonsyrie) September 15, 2022

Musicians and activists Tyrie and Georgia Hardy are the Luton contingent of political electro trio Regressive Left, who are about to embark on their first headline UK tour. 

The band has drawn praise for giving away 10 guest list tickets for each show on the 10-date run to people from low-income households, those receiving state benefits or seriously affected by the cost of living crisis. They’ve also signed up to a pay it forward scheme that offers free tickets to those who might not ordinarily attend events due to financial constraints, mental health concerns or other barriers to access.

In a social media post the band declared, ‘For most of us, it’s utterly miserable living in this hell land we call the UK, so if you’re lucky enough to be someone that has a bit to go around, then please pass it on. The joy of live music can genuinely make life worth living. Everything’s shit and we want you to have fun.’.

🚨 IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT OUR TOUR 🚨 pic.twitter.com/gjdJ3u6G33

— Regressive Left (@regressleft) September 6, 2022

Speaking about the Enough is Enough campaign launch in his hometown, singer and lyricist Tyrie said: “Luton, surrounded by a sea of wealth, has the highest homelessness rates in the country of any town, nearly half its children living in poverty and an average life expectancy eight years below the national average. The Enough is Enough campaign is a lifeline to many at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis.”

Crowds at the Luton rally will be joined by Reverend Mike Jones, Peter Adams of the St Mary’s Centre for Peace and local activist and writer Taj Ali.

The latter, a writer for Tribune Magazine, is the main organiser and will also be speaking at the Luton launch event.

Ali said: “For far too long, working-class communities like our own here in Luton have been ignored and neglected by people in positions of power. 

“Workers in Britain have experienced the longest period of wage stagnation since the 1800s and now face further real-terms pay cuts amid the worst squeeze on living standards since the 1950s. 

“We are organising on both a local and a national level to demand better.”

Free tickets for the Luton rally are available on the Eventbrite website here.

The Enough is Enough campaign has five central demands:

1. A Real Pay Rise

A £15 an hour minimum wage, a real public sector pay rise, and an inflation busting-rise in pensions and benefits.

2. Slash Energy Bills

Cancel the October price hike and return to the significantly lower pre-April energy price cap

3. End Food Poverty

Enshrine the Right to Food in law and put this into practice by introducing universal free school meals, community kitchens, and reinstating the £20-a-week Universal Credit uplift.

4. Decent Homes for All

Cap rents, build 100,000+ council homes a year, insulate homes and introduce a charter for renters’ rights.

Limit the number of holiday homes in any area, limit AirBnBs and ensure they are taxed properly.

5. Tax the Rich

Make the rich pay their fair share by raising taxes on the wealthiest and the profits of big businesses. Crackdown on tax avoidance and evasion.

And alongside that, is cutting the tax burden on working people, starting by reversing the recent hike to National Insurance.

For more information and to join the Enough is Enough campaign go to https://wesayenough.co.uk/