Letters: It is great to see people having a go at Reform UK

Love Music Hate Racism gig at the Albany in Deptford

On the 1 February, we in the north east did not attend the London demo against Tommy Robinson’s motley crew of Nazis and racists.

Instead, we had a small counter-demo against Nigel Farage and the Reform UK North East Conference in Houghton-le-Spring, just outside of Sunderland.

A few Stand Up To Racism members supported a group of about 25 students. The students decided to block the entrance of the venue for at least 40 minutes. This caused a bit of traffic chaos and confusion amongst the attendees. We chanted slogans including, “The workers united will never be defeated”.

Then the police decided enough was enough and “advised” us to cross the road. Given the circumstances, it was the only thing we could do.

But it was great seeing young people having a go and causing the Farage supporters such grief. Of course, they will say we are extremists and dangerous. One even tried to stir it up with the cops about people wearing masks.

But what really struck me was how, going by clothes and vehicles, it was a really middle class, white audience. There were a couple of massive thugs but mostly older, posher reactionaries—definitely not full of working class people as we had feared.

To me it shows that the working class are still looking for a “home”. They cannot be written off as simply angry racists, but can be won to alternative politics—left wing politics.

And let’s be honest, it’s the Labour Party under Keir Starmer that has let them down. Wouldn’t it have been great if the seven MPs suspended from Labour last summer, had told Starmer to shove it and helped build that left alternative?

I won’t hold my breath, but I am optimistic that my class will see through Farage and his ilk.

Dean Harris, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear

The plane truths

Ray Burton is right (Letters, 5 February) that we need to help working class people here and now. Sadly airport expansion won’t do this.

Heathrow wants to build an extension that would be in itself larger than any other airport in Britain, rerouting the M25. It wouldn’t start operating before 2040.

By that time the impacts of climate breakdown will have multiplied, potentially catastrophically. How feasible will it be to keep operating at capacity then?

Airport expansion comes with a huge climate impact, and affects quality of life for those living nearby. Research by the New Economics Foundation shows that, compared to other sectors, aviation doesn’t do well on job creation. The economic benefits of sending people to spend their money abroad, or getting passengers to transfer at Heathrow instead of Schiphol are doubtful.

Insulating homes, manufacturing heat pumps, driving buses, or teaching practical skills—these jobs may not get the headlines. But by supporting these the government could help working people, communities and the economy now, without trashing the climate.

Claire James, West London

Yorkshire says no to toxic incinerator plan

Labour-run Calderdale council in West Yorkshire has issued a permit for a waste incinerator in Sowerby Bridge despite a nine-year campaign to stop this.

The council knows that Sowerby Bridge has among the highest incidence of lung disease in Calderdale. The council knows the incinerator is situated at the narrowest point of the Ryburn Valley and that pollutants will be trapped on the valley floor.

The council knows that gases and toxic emissions from the chimney will contain heavy metals and dioxins that have no safe limit according to a 2018 report to council.
Calderdale council knows seven junior and two high schools are within one mile of the incinerator. And they know the population is against it.

Calderdale council has chosen to place the profits of the waste company before the health and welfare of the town.

Last Saturday 300 people rallied against the incinerator. We plan to lobby the full council meeting on 12 February.

Tony Martin, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire

Our music is powerful

On 1 February Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) had a successful gig at the Albany in south London.

Over 200 tickets were sold and a new audience was introduced to LMHR.

The Albany used to host Rock Against Racism (RAR) gigs in the 1970s. Now, LMHR follows RAR in the tradition of using culture to fight racism and fascism.

The gig gave a glimpse of what’s possible. We need to be ambitious and put on more events in more areas. LMHR has the potential to make a significant impact.

Chioma Amadi-Kamalu, East London