I’m not much of a religious being, but I am political and I’ve been feeling quite political of late. Maybe it’s all the stories of how in the UK – a country with the fifth largest economy in the world – rough sleepers have increased 169% since 2010 (not including all the other types of homelessness which are also on the rise), childhood poverty is at an all time high with 30% of children (that’s 4.1 million) living in relative poverty, and food bank use is through the roof because welfare doesn’t cover basic living costs.
According to my social media feeds though I needn’t worry. Good Brits everywhere are making a difference. Donations to the food bank, toy appeal purchases, money for the homeless; everyone is in a generous mood this Christmas. After all, it is the season of good will and giving.
A local toy appeal near me has received so many donations that they need to search out some more deserving poor to gift them to. You know, the cute little ones that can’t (yet) be blamed for their personal circumstances. I’ve seen pictures of the normally bare food bank shelves resplendent with Christmas goodies. Even the homeless charities are sending us all Christmas cards, knowing winter season is when donations peak.
What if Christmas weren’t just a time of giving for a one off cause though? What if we re-framed that famous slogan to read, “people are for life, not just for Christmas”? What if we gave a shit how people lived when we weren’t feeling so generous? Those in poverty dwell in it all year round; the damp flat share, the dangerous hostel, or the overcrowded council flat. They live there 364 days, not just on Christmas day with their toy appeal stuffed teddy and food bank Christmas pud. People don’t have to be reliant on charity to survive. People could be supported by the government in power. The government YOU vote for.
Imagine kids opening presents from their parents who were paid a decent wage. Imagine mums smiling in their new home free of abuse for the first time in years. Imagine granddads having dignity and food in the cupboard instead of schlepping to the food bank, again.
Isn’t that a Christmas we could all be proud of? Religious or not?
It’s not that I’m against giving. I’m against it ending there. For many, donations remove the guilt of living with relative plenty in a country of growing poverty. We don’t need to live in guilt though. Just like 4.1 million children needn’t live in poverty. There is a solution which could work. A solution which doesn’t focus on a Christmas themed plaster being placed over a huge gaping wound. What is that solution you ask?
Choosing a government who cares.
So, when the time comes. When the next election is called. Try to remember what you really want this world to look like. Not just at Christmas, but all year round. And vote for that.
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