Thread by @PaulbernalUK

I understand and appreciate why some people on the left don’t want to go on today’s march. As someone who thinks Blair should be in The Hague, and who is revolted by David Miliband’s role in Extraordinary Renditions, I really understand the opposition (short thread)

I don’t like sharing an event with people comfortable with - or even actively supporting - austerity. I don’t trust the Lib Dems an inch, and I’m still angry with their failure to acknowledge their awful role in coalition, and how it normalised both austerity and xenophobia.

I don’t like the bad faith actors whose primary motivation seems to be to attack Corbyn - and I know there are some for whom this is a key. And yet I’m still going on the march. I’ve still signed the petition. I’m still working the best I can to oppose Brexit.

Why should someone who feels the way I do go on this march? First of all, ask why I oppose Brexit. It’s not some middle class indulgence - we middle classes won’t suffer nearly as much as the poor and vulnerable from Brexit. It’s because Brexit will do immeasurable damage.

That damage will fall more on the poor & vulnerable than on anyone else. If you want to fight austerity, don’t do it with one hand tied behind your back and half your weapons taken away. The best chance to deal with austerity is to stop Brexit *and* elect a left wing government.

So I’m campaigning for both. And right now there aren’t many routes to stop Brexit. Time is running out. We have to do what we can - and right now, this march is one of the ways we can show what we feel. So I’m doing it - holding my nose at the speakers, aware of compromises.

And I don’t expect you to agree with me. What I hope is that you understand and at least start to respect my position - and the position of many on the left who are also going on this march. /ends