Bath Man Attempts to Press Charges Against Tory Ministers

Keith Ordinary Guy and supporters outside Bath police station

At 2pm today, local man Keith Ordinary Guy, who writes a letter a day to David Cameron, and an army of supporters went to Bath police station to attempt to press charges against Iain Duncan Smith and Lord Freud for breaching the Human Rights Act over the Claimant Commitment Contract.

Supporters came from as far afield as London and Cornwall. One supporter commented "I believe that slavery should not be back on the statute books. Nothing is voluntary, it's all enforced - workfare, zero hours contracts. Non compliance means no food."

Keith first spoke to the police officer on the desk. He told her:

"As a citizen, you are the only people I can come to."

"I am horrified."

"Between 2011 and 2012, 10,600 people died after being found unfit for work by Atos. Our government is doing this to us. You are the only portal of access and we need help."

"The Claimant Commitment Contract is just the latest phase and it's just horrific. I'm not a demonstrative man, I just want justice."

The police officer then went to get the Inspector. Keith commented "I think the policewoman on the desk was nearly in tears. I feel that I was taken seriously."

Keith Ordinary Guy in Bath
police station attempting to press charges
against Iain Duncan Smith and Lord Freud

When the Inspector arrived, Keith told him:

"If you refuse to sign the contract, you have no access to benefits in Britain. It's forced labour."

The Inspector replied:

"If it's been brought into a statute, it's not something I can deal with. The people who brought it in would have looked at the Human Rights Act. You would need to take it up with a solicitor."


Keith responded:

"Between 2011 and 2012, 10,600 people died. They've refused to release figures since then. I've tried to bring charges of manslaughter against them and I think that still stands."

The Inspector replied:

"My job is to enforce the law as it stands."

After the leaving the police station, Keith was upbeat. He told us:

"It went really well because it has given me an insight into the situation that we're actually in. It's our opinion that what they are doing is inhuman, but what they did is put the laws onto the statute book."

"The next step is to see if there's a solicitor that can take on the legal challenge. Crowd sourcing for legal funds may be the next move."

"Ordinary people need money to get access to justice - they've scrapped Legal Aid. Unfortunately the law only works for the rich."

"I will try to raise a legal challenge."

"So many people are dying. A million people are using foodbanks and the government are saying that they've got nothing to do with it."

Supporters then joined Keith for a coffee. From the discussion afterwards it was decided that they would form a people's army - called "The Shoestring Army", as those involved are living on a shoestring. The domain name was then immediately registered.

This is Day 1 of a new fight back for the lives of ordinary people. Stay posted - The Shoestring Army is only going to grow.

Keith's website, where he publishes his letters can be found here: http://www.keithordinaryguy.org.uk/

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Bath Campaigner to go to Police to Bring Charges Against Tory Ministers

Keith Ordinary Guy - the Bath man who sends a letter to David Cameron every day - is heading to Bath Police Station at 2pm on Friday 2nd May to send the message that the government's new Claimant Commitment Contract contravenes the Human Rights Act (HRA), and that Iain Duncan Smith and Lord Freud are in breach of the Human Rights Act.

The message reads:

Iain Duncan Smith and Lord Freud Breach Human Rights

The Claimant Commitment Contract. Policy Aims:

The conditionality regime will recast the relationship between the citizen and the State from one centred on 'entitlement' to one centred on a contractual concept that provides a range of support in return for claimant's meeting an explicit set of responsibilities, with a sanctions regime to encourage compliance.

Iain Duncan Smith and Lord Freud have reintroduced slavery through forced compliance (sanctions regime), denying people the means of survival if they do not comply or fail to meet conditions.

HRA - Article 4 - Prohibition of Slavery and Forced Labour

2: No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
Exclusion: Any work or service which forms part of normal civic obligations.

Under these contracts the work or service cannot be considered normal because it involves the loss of means of survival.

The new Claimant Commitment Contract means that claimants are required to perform forced or compulsory labour via contracts set up by DWP work coaches.

Claimants who refuse to sign the contract or breach it will be denied Universal Credit (JSA etc.), i.e. the means of survival, thus breaching Article 1 of the HRA.

HRA - Article 2 - Right to Life

1: Everyone’s right to life shall be protected by law. No one shall be deprived of his life intentionally save in the execution of a sentence of a court following his conviction of a crime for which this penalty is provided by law.

Earlier today we caught up with Keith to find out more about the campaign:

What drove you to to take this action?

I’ve been writing ‘A letter a day to number 10’ for over two years now, currently on No 728, and it is clear that the government have an agenda that they are pursuing regardless of public outcry, facts or the suffering they are causing. I have been to the police twice attempting to bring charges against Iain Duncan Smith and was fobbed off both times. This time, I called on Sonia Poulton and her camera man Lee to, at the least, make this a very public ‘event’. Whatever the outcome I hope that we can bring the glare of publicity to bear on the inhuman policies being inflicted on the British people. I have a particular care for disabled people as someone who has experienced severe mental health problems all my life. The treatment of disabled people by this government is so inhuman it beggars belief.

Do you think it will make a difference?

Yes I do think it will make a difference if in no other way than to raise awareness. People have felt comforted, supported and encouraged by my letters, I have been told many times that seeing that days letter gave someone the strength to go on for another day. Even if just one person is helped to keep going that was a letter worth writing as far as I am concerned.

What measures can other ordinary people do to oppose the cuts to benefits, the workfare scheme and generally make the world a better place?

I think it is crucial that relying on social media alone to do anything effective will never work. Whatever we do, and report on social media, must happen in the real world. I encourage people to be as creative as possible, through writing, art, music, drama, peaceful protest, handing out leaflets, reporting government crimes, creating public events, whatever people can dream up to protest, protect and raise public awareness. We had a picnic in Regents Park last year, called ‘We Shall Overcome’ inspired by the Joan Baez song, with floral tributes to the 10,600 people who had died within six weeks of being found fit for work by Atos. I was unable to attend and so co-ordinated live updates on Facebook and Fusion Radio dedicated a day of music in memory of our lost. Along with the group in London, who handed out leaflets and talked to people, the event was followed by many sick and disabled people online as well as those who simply could not travel to the event that day. Many were moved to tears, including me, and shared what was truly loving and peaceful day.

The We Shall Overcome Event in Regent's Park

Join Keith at Bath Police Station on Friday 2nd May at 1.30pm

Keith's website, where he posts his letters and the (very few) replies he gets can be found here: http://www.keithordinaryguy.org.uk/

Find out what happened at Bath Police Station here: http://standingstonesblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/bath-man-attempts-to-press-charges.html

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Austerity: A Public Meeting in Bath

From Bath People's Assembly:

Press Release 13/5/13 - Austerity: A Public Meeting

Following a strong line-up of successful public debates and events in recent times, including debates on fracking, the NHS and nuclear power, as well as last month's Visions for Change event, featuring stalls and talks from over 25 groups working for a better world and film director Ken Loach, Bath People's Assembly is now returning to its roots and organising a public meeting on austerity this Friday.

The aim of the meeting is to discuss the impact of the government's austerity programme on Bath residents, and to generate ideas for actions to ensure that no-one is unjustly affected. In particular, issues such as benefit cuts, changes to disability welfare, cuts to the NHS, the bedroom tax and related issues such as growing income inequality, workfare and redundancies will be addressed. All are welcome to attend the meeting, which is held between 7.15 and 9pm at the Friends' Meeting House, York St., Bath, BA1 1NG

Entry is free and light refreshments will be provided.

A Facebook event page has been created to promote the meeting: https://www.facebook.com/events/299842250148616/?fref=ts

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10 things Occupy Bath has Achieved

Ahead of tonight's re-occupation of Bath, here's a list of 10 things that Occupy Bath has achieved in the last year.

1. Highlighted issues of financial inequality and provided a platform where people can discuss and work together to find solutions.

2. Launched a Move Your Money campaign, and performed street theatre outside banks in order to promote it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WR5gWbo1tI

3. Founded the Bath People's Assembly https://www.facebook.com/bathpeoplesassembly?ref=ts&fref=ts, which is still going today and as well as providing an open democratic forum for the people of Bath, the BPA has also put on several talks and the highly successful Visions for Change event back in April (at which Occupy Bath were present) http://standingstonesblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/visions-for-change-inspiration-for.html.

4. Provided hot food in Bath city centre in the middle of winter for anyone who wanted/needed it http://www.nowbath.co.uk/local-news/occupy-bath-return-for-meal-41979/

5. Occupy Bath was part of the Stop the Drones group that successfully stopped a drones conference from going ahead in the Assembly Rooms https://network23.org/bathstopthedrones/

6. Supported and spoke at the union strike last November http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Occupy-Bath-camp-staying-protesters-join-union/story-13919822-detail/story.html

7. Attended the National Occupy Conference and highlighted local issues affecting Bath on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral to a crowd of hundreds http://standingstonesblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/occupy-uk-and-ireland-conference.html

8. Since packing up camp last time, many of Bath Occupiers (some of which had never been involved in campaigns or protests before) have gone on to join other activist and campaign groups and strengthened their numbers

9. Joined other groups in campaigning against workfare earlier this year http://standingstonesblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/anti-workfare-demonstration-outside-wh.html

10. Never given up. At the end of last year's camp, Occupy Bath said "This is just the beginning", and they have stayed true to their words. Camp or no camp, Occupy Bath have been actively campaigning, discussing and debating the issues, maintaining a strong social media presence, putting forward solutions, communicating with other occupations and other groups and trying to do all they can to make our country, and our city a more equal, fairer and democratic place. This weekend marks the beginning of a new phase, and will hopefully bring the issues raised last time to the forefront once more. Occupy Bath do not intend to outstay their welcome and intend to be respectful to the land they Occupy.

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Workfare Demonstration Outside WH Smith in Bath City Centre

Anti-workfare demonstration outside WH Smith in Bath city centre (Standing Stone)

On Saturday 7 July 2012, an anti-workfare demonstration took place outside WH Smith in Union Street, Bath. Members of BARF, Bath Against Cuts and Occupy Bath set up outside the shop at 11.30am with a large "Workfare is Slavery" banner and handed out leaflets and engaged with passers by. Despite continuous rain, the demonstration went on until 13.00 and hundreds of leaflets were handed out. No staff members from WH Smith approached the demonstration and the response from the public was overwhelmingly positive.

Originally, the demonstration was planned to target Holland and Barrett, however the day before the demonstration they announced that they were leaving the workfare scheme. More on Holland and Barrett here, and a previous workfare article on Standing Stone's Blog can be found here.

Next Saturday is the "We Are Bristol" march against the EDL - stay tuned for updates.

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Holland and Barrett to pull out of Workfare

A planned week of action against the controversial workfare scheme starting from tomorrow has scored its first success, before the week has even begun.

Holland and Barrett, the target of many of tomorrow's pickets and protests has just announced that they will no longer be partaking in the workfare scheme. The following statement has was posted on their facebook page late last night:

"At Holland & Barrett, we take our responsibilities as a retailer and employer very seriously, and any possible compromise to the safety of our staff and customers from opponents of our work experience scheme is treated with great importance.

This factor, together with the planned introduction of a new full time, salaried apprentice scheme, means that the 60 people currently undertaking the work experience scheme will be the last to complete the eight week placement. After this time Holland & Barrett will not participate further in that scheme"

It appears that the threat of action has forced them to reconsider their involvement with workfare. However, many more corporations are still on board with the scheme, including Poundland, Argos, Tesco, Asda and Superdrug. Pizza Hut are currently reviewing their involvement with the scheme.

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Workfare: We Need to Have a Serious Think About It (Guest Blog)

Here's another guest blog from the editor of The Shittro, this time on the subject of Workfare. More offerings from The Shittro can be found here and, and the previous guest blog for Standing Stone's Blog is here.

You've heard about Workfare right? It's that thing that means that unemployed people can 'volunteer' to work for their benefits.

Many people agree with the use of Workfare. It means that people aren't just doing nothing for their work and soon disability benefits; it means they contribute to society - well not quite. You see, the majority of people that have signed up to Workfare are private companies looking for cheap labour. The well-known users of Workfare include Tesco, Argos, Poundland, Asda, Boots, Buckingham Palace and the Olympic contractors. But hang on, they are providing work experience for these people right?

Yes, they are providing work experience, no one is denying that. But work experience is supposed to benefit the person and it's not supposed to be exploitative, and you aren't supposed to be doing work experience for more than 2-3 weeks. The common thing that people think when going on Workfare is that there will be a job after completing the placement, which 25% of the time is true - most Workfare placements, especially the ones at Asda, Argos, Poundland and Boots, DO NOT guarantee a job at the end of it, meaning that thousands of people are left with nothing other than their unemployment benefit.

The controversial company, A4E, currently being investigated for fraud, should make you question whether Workfare is of any use to this country or not. If not, here are some things that should help you make up your mind:

• Workfare does not actually help people find a job. The unemployment rate has in fact increased.
• There is no way that providing 'temporary' placements to JSA claimants will help them get a job because more jobs are being cut than being created.
• Because of a massive shortfall in public sector jobs, the private sector is being told to create more jobs, which the private sector don't want to do because it costs them more in the short term to hire more people
• Workfare means that people aren't covered by unions, meaning that claimants can be subject to practices that should be illegal under employment law which don't apply because they are on 'work experience' and not employed
• It's borderline slavery. They are not gaining anything extra to what they are entitled to anyway, someone has taken this to court but we have not heard back from that yet.
• Workfare placements actually hinder the job market because it means that real employment can't be used to fill up the places which are taken up by Workfare positions. There is a very chilling story in which Asda sent all of their regular workers home and replaced them with unpaid Workfare 'volunteers'

Despite Workfare being marketed as voluntary, it's not. While 4/5 of the schemes are classed as voluntary, there are stories of people being harassed by the job centre onto going onto the Work Experience or the Work Programme. However, the catch is that if you refuse to do a voluntary scheme you can be forced onto Mandatory Work Activity which, as it says on the tin, is completely mandatory and carries a heavy sanctions scheme. The sanctions have been lifted from the other schemes because of public outcry back in March in which cities all across the UK held host to angry activists demanding Workfare to be scrapped.

Convinced yet? I thought not. The problem we have with Workfare isn't the idea of work experience, it's the fact that this scheme is clearly being used as a front to make money. One person described Workfare as 'an appallingly corrupt and unacceptable scheme', while another said:

'Well this is the fundamental flaw with the work programme, the WP provider (Tomorrow’s People) are responsible for checking employers out and getting reassurances from them that the conditions will be acceptable, as it stands they clearly haven't and their press release was the squirmiest piece of shit I've read in months.'

 

I've had many complaints from friends, comrades and people online who have told stories about how they feel let down and disheartened by the fact that Workfare has not helped them find a job. One woman was kicked off of a course helping her with her English when she was told to work. Her being able to speak English has a better chance of her finding a job than having experience stacking shelves at Tesco, surely?

To conclude: We need to have a serious think about Workfare and what it's actually doing to this country. Chris Graying calls us 'job snobs' for being anti-Workfare; you know what I call those who oppose workfarce? I call us the heroes of the working class. We are the people standing up to the bullies and slave masters; we demand full pay and rights while they find ways to take that away from us. When they say Workfare, we should all reply with 'unfair'.

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