where are the crowds, all I can see are a bunch of new lab employed aggitators

This was sent to a national newspaper on this but not printed. (bit too badly worded perhaps)

To:The Editor,

Jan.06.

Dear Sir.

I have been on the variously named Incapacity benefit for almost 20 years due to mental health problems and stress. During that time however I have always felt that I should do 'something for something' and so took up voluntary and community activities. I have only felt able to contribute in this way because it's on the basis that I do not 'have' to go to a meeting or do anything if I do attend (ie:non-compulsory).

I have also been on and off medication and various therapies, including the likes of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. However, all that the therapy has enabled me to do is to continue contributing on the same 'informal' basis without pills, though only just. Further, I have more recently had the onset of some physical though 'invisible' illnesses and now feel that I have to curtail even what I am doing.

The proposed changes to IB though only fill me with fear rather than hope, as indeed it does others I have spoken to on this. In two or three years time, if I am still around, I will still not feel able to contribute in anyway other than what I have tried to do over the last two decades. However, I suspect that I will be 'harried' and 'cajoled' by the DWP and its doctors into something which I do not feel able or willing to do. I further think that the same will happen to many others and that, as has been claimed with Disability Living Allowance, only those virtually at death's door will be allowed to receive or continue with the new benefit.

I agree with those who suggest that it would be far better for the Government to opt-in to the EU Working Time Directive, end casualised working, increase personal allowances and raise the minimum wage to around £7 p.h, without it affecting any other benefits (rent etc) as the way to help tackle this. Properly paid, secure and interesting occupations, would surely be better at enticing those on IB back to work, rather than forcing people into what will almost certainly be low-paid, largely monotonous jobs 'for their own good'. Doing the latter will only create more hardship and indeed illness in my view.

Finally, I find it ironic that it is a so-called Labour Government that is now attacking the most vulnerable people in society simply because, if truth be told and I for one will not believe the denials, we have to 'beat the Chinese'.

Yours sincerely.

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Thanks for this Letter "unwell".
Frank. There is NO New Labour here, comrade.
The CROWDS are, obviously, at the silly soccer matches, or in the shops, caring, as always it seems, for themselves.

Time for a Citizens Income and some much needed Solidarity.