After the UK General Election - We Must Write the Script for What Comes Next

(Photo: Huck Magazine)

After the UK General Election - We Must Write the Script for What Comes Next

In the last six weeks we've seen that change is possible.

The general election was called because the prime minister insisted there was too much opposition to her plans in parliament. We were told that this general election was going to go in one direction. The most powerful media in the country threw everything at it.

In the last six weeks we've seen that change is possible.

The general election was called because the prime minister insisted there was too much opposition to her plans in parliament. We were told that this general election was going to go in one direction. The most powerful media in the country threw everything at it.

Out there in the country something important happened

People who'd never voted before got involved in campaigning. Thousands of young people didn't simply vote, but pounded the streets telling other people to vote. They made a difference.

Global Justice Now doesn't support any political party and tries to work to change the policies and visions of parties across the spectrum. We had more success than ever before in terms of influencing opposition parties on trade, on energy, on aid,on foreign policy.

But this election was one of the most significant of modern times. The right of the political spectrum put forward policies, rhetoric and a vision which threatened everything we hold dear - attacking migrant rights and human rights, and fostering an insular and selfish approach to the rest of the world.

It didn't wash. People power created the most significant upset of modern electoral history. We don't know what will happen next. The script has not been written.

You can play a part in writing it

During the election political parties seem like the only thing that matters. But long-term change has always been pushed from below, by movements: from abolishing slavery, to winning the vote for working people, from the anti-apartheid movement to Make Poverty History.

Politics in Britain is in flux. Events could move in a number of directions. If you want to ensure they move towards a more democratic, sustainable an equal world, we need you to get involved. Become part of the movement.

As individuals, we're weak. But as part of a movement, we can change history. We can write the script for what comes next.

Join Us: News for people demanding a better world


Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place.

We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference.

Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today!

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.