Dear Editor
The financial collapse of the banking industry in 2008 was not caused by working people but by greedy financial investors and institutions eager to amass fortunes at the expense of everyone and anything.
Working people everywhere took the full force of these actions and are still paying the price in a lower standard of living and decimated public services.
There was, particularly from 2010, a growing understanding that things had to change : the domination by financial interests and banks was no longer seen as wanted or needed – and certainly not not to be trusted. People were rightly calling for control over speculators and more public control over essential services.
Political danger signals began to flash in ruling circles: these expressions of people’s control must be diverted, and sustained campaigns were conducted to this effect – firstly against the unemployed, then in turn the disabled and people on benefits. Vulnerable sections of society were blamed for all the troubles, but these campaigns backfired as society, to their great credit, opposed them.
Other diversions had to be implemented. Unable to place the blame on it’s own people, the focus was shifted to blaming others – particularly the European Union and immigrants. Shift the blame to them and all will be well, conveniently forgetting the banking disaster of 2008.
It is unfortunate that people anxious for changes were headed off in 2010 – 2016 and by misinformation throughout the EU referendum period for which the people of the UK have once again had to pay a heavy price in the hopes and aspirations of millions – particularly the younger generations.
A. Delahoy
Silverknowes Gardens
