Rally Against Debt

You know how Facebook likes to share memories?

Well, a photo posted on Facebook on May 15, 2011, popped up on my timeline this morning and I appear to be taking part in some sort of protest.

The thing is, I genuinely didn’t know any of the other people in the picture or why I was there.

The number of demos I’ve taken part in can be counted on the fingers of one hand so you would think I might remember, but I didn’t have a clue until I delved deep into this blog and found this:

Was the Rally Against Debt a success?

As someone who was there, I thought it was a pretty decent effort. There were more than enough people (and press photographers) to make you feel you were part of an 'event'.

I counted eight speakers. Mark Littlewood of the Institute of Economic Affairs and Matthew Sinclair of the TaxPayers' Alliance provided the necessary gravitas, but documentary film maker Martin Durkin was perhaps the pick of the bunch. His speech rivalled Nigel Farage's for laughs and his enthusiasm was equally infectious.

Compared to the TUC's Alternative March the turnout may have been small, but what did people expect? Unlike the union-sponsored event, Rally Against Debt didn't have a penny to its name when the idea was promoted on Facebook a few weeks ago. Bar some logistical support from the TaxPayers' Alliance, I don't think much changed, financially, ahead of yesterday's event.

Media-wise, however, Rally Against Debt was a success, punching well above its weight. "Is that a protest or a bus queue?" sneered one left-wing blogger, but online you will find a string of reports – in the Guardian, Telegraph and Daily Mail. BBC News featured a report and even a video. You can't buy that sort of coverage (and I should know!)

The irony, of course, is that the debt the nation faced in 2011 is pocket money compared to what we will owe when the coronavirus crisis is over.

Most people would agree, I think, that the Government’s initial response, financially, was understandable and humane.

Moving forward decisions are going to become harder and more controversial. I don’t have the ‘right’ answer - I don’t think anyone does - but I wonder how soon someone is going to be brave enough to organise another Rally Against Debt!

PS. I lied about not knowing anyone in the picture - I can see my son's partially obscured head.