‘If they can do it in Greece, we can do it here!’ British left stage Greek embassy demo
Following Syriza’s Greek election triumph, left-wing campaigners from Britain’s Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) held a celebration and solidarity demonstration at the Greek embassy in London.
They assembled at the embassy on Monday night to both celebrate Syriza’s victory and to advocate anti-austerity measures in the UK.
“If they can vote against austerity there, we must provide an anti-austerity choice here,” the group said.
The demonstration, however, came as international investment firms express concern at the economic repercussions of Syriza’s accent.
TUSC aims to field 1,000 candidates in local elections and stand a further 100 for seats in Westminster in the 2015 general election. It claims that its election challenge will represent the biggest socialist challenge in Britain since 1945.
#TUSC at Greek embassy now. If Greece can reject austerity, so can we! Keep up the fight to beat the Troika & rich. pic.twitter.com/HstlwOmz18
— SWP Britain (@SWP_Britain) January 26, 2015
TUSC features a number of former Labour Party councilors who were suspended for their opposition to austerity measures, which are broadly accepted by the Labour leadership as necessary.
Dave Nellist, former socialist Labour MP for Coventry South East from 1983 to 1992, was expelled from Labour at a time when the party’s stance was shifting to the right.
READ MORE:‘Monstrous democratic slap to EU’: Le Pen hails Greek anti-austerity party victory
Nellist, who is set to attend the demonstration, said events in Greece should inspire similar movements across Europe.
“The win for the anti-austerity party Syriza in today's Greek elections will reverberate around Europe,” he said.
“Millions of workers in other countries also suffering cuts in living standards and rising unemployment – whilst facing a rich elite which has successfully protected itself from recession – will ask ‘if they can do it in Greece, why can't we do it here?’” Nellist added.
He said the public should be inspired by the actions of the Greeks during the next election.
Show support for people in Greece with this poster. Join fight against austerity here! @TUSCoalition#GreekElectionspic.twitter.com/RkvTsqp7eG
— Helen Pattison (@helenpattison91) January 26, 2015
“On May 7 we intend to stand over 100 parliamentary candidates and 1000 council candidates all challenging in the same way as Greek workers have done the idea from all the big parties promoting austerity that 'there is no alternative.'”
“There is: Greece has proved it today, and where Greece has led others will follow.”
Their optimism, however, is tempered by warnings issued to investors earlier on Monday by one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organizations.
READ MORE:Syriza triumphs: Cameron defends austerity, British left say ‘hope has won’
The DeVere group warned the election could prompt “Greek-led volatility” for six months.
Tom Elliott, an international investment strategist at the group, said volatility would be expected until the “Syriza-led government was better understood.”
He predicts a weakening euro and expects investors to move to economic “safe havens.” He also envisioned the growth of “populist” parties in Europe.
Elliott likened new Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tspiras to Lula da Silva, the left-wing Brazilian President who is credited with modernizing the country.
He says it is equally likely, however, that the election initiates “some sort of socialist revolution.”
“It is early days and the story is just beginning. However, history teaches us that what is happening in Greece politically will have far-reaching effects on the capital markets and will impact investor returns,” he said.
Tspiras was sworn in as prime minister on Monday, attracting mass global attention after the historic election.
