…come join us!
To start with, Spartacus was nothing; just a name Sue Marsh and Kaliya Franklin used to launch the Responsible Reform report, which analysed all 523 organisations’ responses to the government’s first consultation on reform of Disability Living Allowance. Before working with others* (see footnote) to produce the report, Sue and Kaliya had been campaigning for 18 months against the portrayal by politicians and media of disabled and sick people as scroungers. They realised that if they didn’t fight, no-one would.
At first they felt as if they were lone voices, but slowly but surely people began to listen and respond – the proverbial snowball took shape, from press contacts to those who until that moment had felt alone and isolated with no voice. More and more people joined forces and responded to the call for help, especially those who gave almost more than they could to the mammoth task of researching and writing the report; others tweeted, emailed and blogged. The true impact could only be felt once the ‘Spartacus Report’ went live – the buzz in forums, on twitter and elsewhere was palpable.
The report’s authors* had done their best, primed as many contacts as possible and when the call went out to say simply ‘I am Spartacus – hear my story’ the snowball turned into an avalanche 3 million tweets – #spartacusreport trended all day – simply put, this was the biggest social media campaign ever.
People rallied like never before, many voices as one, with a clear aim: responsible welfare reform. People sent letters and briefings to the Lords and briefings for the media – and felt the buzz when Sue went on Newsnight. The Government was so worried about the report that Ministers wrote to the Lords to try to undermine it. The viewing figures for the Lords debate must have been massive that day – to get one amendment though was amazing but five was miraculous. The defeat could have been bigger if the government hadn’t been forced to make such big concessions.
In one amazing week a movement was born – it wasn’t planned or thought out because those two lone voices and others working so hard behind the scenes* simply never dared hope for this.
The emerging movement has led to the creation of this Spartacus hub – a website dedicated to informing and supporting people to make a difference and get involved. It’s not just for people who are sick and disabled but for anyone who, like us, believes that reform must be fair and responsible.
Political influence is key and Sue and Kaliya have achieved a great deal through careful working behind the scenes. Spartacus is concerned about all aspects of welfare reform that affect disabled and sick people but we currently have a particular focus on the proposals for Personal Independence Payment, which under the Welfare Reform Bill is set to replace Disability Living Allowance for working age adults from 2013.
Three simple principles guide Sue, Kaliya and the wider Spartacus movement:
- We strive for accuracy, as this helps us to maintain credibility and therefore influence
- We support rather than criticise other groups and charities
- We try to fill the gaps left by other groups and charities
This is where YOU come in – the next steps. Remember, alone we whisper, TOGETHER WE SHOUT. Some activities need careful coordination to have an effect; we have seen this time and time again. Other actions, though, can be undertaken by anyone as we follow Sue and Kaliya’s vision.
So what can YOU do?
Together we Shout
- Talk to people who don’t know about the Welfare Reform Bill and what it means – there are links on the website to information that will help
- Can you get more people to sign Pat’s Petition? We seem to have stalled at about 30,000 signatures; we need to ask people who currently have no idea of the risks we face, so we can get to the 100,000 signatures we need for Parliament to take notice of us. Help us get there!
- Think about people you know who may be affected. Are you in a union, church or club, or do you know someone who is? Think about all the people you know or talk to who might help – maybe a social worker, doctor or anyone who could lend weight and another voice to ours, so it shouts even louder
- Could you put up a poster? (There are some at /spartacus-publications/awareness-raising-downloads/)
- Maybe you could post information in an online forum
- Tell us what you need to spread the word – template letters, leaflets, posters – or perhaps you’re brilliant at that and could make one for others to use
- Think about your skills – even if you don’t think you have anything to offer, just by taking part you can make a difference; each small action helps to build the bigger picture
- Spread the positives – it’s important that as well as campaigning for responsible reform we remind those who label us as scroungers that collectively, for example, we spend £80 billion pounds a year in the UK economy
There will be more resources coming but of course it takes time – if we need specific help we’ll put out an appeal –your skills and talent will be brilliant later on!
No matter what, the efforts of two women inspiring & joining forces with others could not have grown into this without hard work, faith in the process and a little bit of magic…
* Authors of Responsible Reform, the ‘Spartacus’ Report: Sarah Campbell; Anon; ME; Sue Marsh, Kaliya Franklin; Declan Gaffney; Anon; Mason Dixon, autistic; Leigh James; Sam Barnett-Cormack; Rhydian Fon-James; Dawn Willis; Anon
The need for objectivity will increase with the state-led spin
I think we can build this further. Stonewall started because of a siege in a gay bar in New York. The movement has grown into a recognised pressure group for the LGBT community. We can do the same.
Dare we?
I say we can’t afford not to.
What’s now known as Spartacus has gotten things done that no-one else has. One reason for that is that it hasn’t worked like any existing organisation. We fill gaps – and those gaps are left by typical ‘organisations’. Spartacus works and manages the things it does precisely because it is not anything like a formal organisation. All the charities, DPAC, all sorts of groups already exist to do the things that being an organised group works well for. We’re for the other stuff.
Spartacus isn’t, and does not try to be, all things to all people.
Yes, the other organisations exist, but I feel we’re doing their work for them. When it comes to speaking out, they stay largely silent because they get funding from the government and can’t afford to jeopardise it. And let’s not forget that many of these charities have only recently let those they purport to serve actually do PAID WORK for them.
And we’d be taken more seriously if we were an organisation. We’re too easy to dismiss as a “crackpot minority” at the moment. Look at the way Sue Marsh was treated on Newsnight.
You may be right Chris, I don’t know, but what I do know is half a dozen ill people who’ve never met have definite limits when it comes to creating an ‘organisation’. I also know that if we were an organisation we wouldn’t be able to respond so quickly or be so flexible!
I missed this one – thought I’d replied further down doh!
So wont prattle on too much here. Stonewall etc grew in a way but it took a long time to be credible. It was an umbrella really with lots of different groups of people doing things after taking over the bar – from direct defiance to less public.
Maybe its about defining the aims and principles and way of working for the postive change but its not necessarily about being an organisation – doesn’t mean it has to have none they are two different things. Perhaps to work out the where we need to work out the what. Once that’s an aim people can grasp and get hold of then for some it will be small bits of flexible work to respond to specific things, for others will be more direct, and others will be challenging stereotypes etc. but if we all can work out what the direction is then we become a movement for change.
That conversation needs to be owned by everyone who wants to do stuff colectively – a very kind supporter has created a forum amd while there are many forums out there perhaps one that is focused on this very topic will allow people the space to spark ideas and discuss. My later post talks about some of the work being done around the Welfare Reform Bill is important and what it’s doing. But its bigger than the Welfare Reform Bill.
Thats how I read your questions – I’m happy to discuss it and see what’s needed to bring about postive change for people
As some of you know I feel Chris has a solid point, perhaps there is a need for a poll asking how many Spartici are interested in joining together to take action, and what action?
I would welcome a Poll. I was also wondering whether it might be worth putting out informal feeders to the unions who have disaffiliated from Labour (and other organisations) to maybe financially back those amongst us who might be pondering standing in local or national elections. I don’t want to seem ungrateful for the effort that has already been put in, and what it has cost those people in health and wealth, but I just feel like a snowball has started rolling down a big hill – and I don’t want it to melt before it gets to where it needs to go.
Hi Chris, I have just been looking to see if the Government ever set up the proposed fund to help disabled people access elected office following their consultation on the issue last year. It seems that it hasn’t got past the ‘intention to set up a scheme’ stage, but if you want to know more and perhaps challenge the government on its lack of progress (Home Office includes the equalities office, although Office for Disability Issues may also know something) feel free. The link I found was http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/equalities/public-political-equality/access-response/
I wonder whether George Potter has any ideas or information on this? He may well have links into the Lib Dem part of the coalition and could find out. See The Potter Blogger in the Blogs links on the right hand side of this website.
As you say, TUC might also be helpful.
Thanks for the reminder Jane, I’d forgotten about this! Below is the email I sent this morning:
on September 13 2011, the Home Office published its response to “Access to elected office for disabled people: A response to the consultation”, and stated the Governments intention to take forward 5 of the 6 proposed plans arising from this exercise.
I would like to know exactly what stage the Home Office is at, in terms of implementation of these proposals; the time line for implementation, including the target date for implementation, and which MPs are involved with the implementation including the lead member for the plan.
Many Thanks in advance of your support
Lets see what we get back, wlil keep posted
Really good points. It’s so important not to let the impetus fizzle out
there are two bits to this 1 is the task in hand – getting the consultation done and 2 really accepting what is already happening in terms of the Welfare Reform Bill – that needs the kind of steer it has and that’s great.
What I’m seeing and hearing is about what next? Where does this amazing energy go beyond the Welfare Reform Bill and immediate tasks that is a discussion to be had – there is space for the conversation about what a disability rights movement needs to look like in 2012 – that for me is the essence of what I understand the question to be – the answer will be different for different people – from non-violent direct action, to a more measured apprach to one a little more forthright..
But let’s have that conversation – the work that’s begun around the bill hasn’t been finished yet and I’m comfortable and willing to be part of the structure as it exists to get an important task done under the guidance and leadership of Sue and Kaliya. It is what it is – and cannot possibly work with more fingers in the pie at a strategic level. There will be work to do and sometimes it may be quiet but that is one part of this and by its nature it has needed the work to be done in the way it has.
The conversation that leads to links and doing something that begins to be a force for positive collective change from scroungers with no voice to ones who do and are heard, seen, accepted and where it has become acceptable to see two gay people kiss in the street – well I’d like to see the same happen for two disabled people. That for me is what Spartacus can be about – the next step
How the story is wrttien from here on is about us – me, you and others. I have no problem accpeting some of this has to be lead and coordinated. As a movement for change we each own that bit and will find the space where we fit – could be DPAC, Disability Rights UK, Black Triangle or a group that hasn’t even been formed yet…we can though exist under the banner of Spartacus
This is purely how i see it – I am not a spokesperson
I’m just excited to have the conversation about what next and how.
Want to show the evidence of how many people are supporting disabled people and carers? Concerned about the perfect storm of welfare reform, slashes to local authority budgets, loss of legal aid, NHS changes in England, and more, all of which impact unfairly on disabled people?
Then sign Pat’s Petition (link in right hand column) or here http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20968
Signed it? then make sure you share it – if everyone who has already signed, got 4 more people to sign, the government would be forced to consider a debate.
We are having to do this ourselves – we haven’t got a Royal College of GPs, the Labour Party or 38 Degrees behind us (like the NHS drop the bill petition which is doing so well at the moment). And many disabled people often don’t have the necessary online access to sign an epetition. We all need to keep telling everyone about the petition – tell them why it’s so important to sign it – tell them how easy it is to do.
Together we can do this – we will be heard.
Thanks – I think the problem is that most of ‘us’ have signed – we need to break into other areas – such as the medical profession – to get the tens of thousands more signatures we need. There is a link to Pat’s Petition in our Links section in the right hand column.
We want our supporters to go out to people who may be affected by don’t realise it now – and one of the things they can ask people to do, is to sign Pat’s Petition!
Thank you for adding the link to the text.
Its good to remind people that one small useful act is to sign the petition – and that by sharing it they can really make a difference.
Please do get the medical profession on board – and social workers, local councillors, charities, activists, relatives, teachers – and anyone who may be disabled tomorrow. That could be anyone. This affects us all.
I would really like it if We Are Spartacus had a Facebook page?
Try the Facebook Spartacus Report open group for now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wearespartacus/
What you say Jane may be true but you could certainly do a lot more to support Pats epetition which now has over 29,000 sigs. It would certainly complement the Spartacus aims and objectives and give the Government an indication of exactly how many people support both Spartacus and Pats Petition and the fight against cuts to welfare benefits and services.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20968
We push Pat’s Petition all the time and I was annoyed with myself when I realised it wasn’t in the Spartacus Story post, so I just put it in. We have 600 in the Spartacus Facebook group and there are people visiting the website etc all the time, but I’m pretty certain those people have already signed. The challenge is how to go outside our natural supporter profile to others – with both the petition and the rest of the campaign.
When you say there is more I could do, could you be more specific? I’m always open to ideas because sometimes when you’re close to something you fail to see the obvious!
Twitter, Linkedina and Google+ ?
Not sure why they disappeared – will investigate !!
Just checked – share buttons are on post now, but they don’t appear on the home page – you have to click the title on the home page to get into the post itself. Might that be the problem or am I just completely patronising – always entirely possible lol!
Ideally I think a small logo/button at the top saying vote for Pats Petition or something similar, would surely attract attention of everyone who visits your website. Plus perhaps a reminder to ask everyone to get others to sign. The thing about the epetition is that it is asking the Government to stop and revisit the cuts again which is surely what we are all after.
The Government after all did introduce the epetition system for people if they could achieve the support of 100,000 people have an opportunity to have their petition discussed in Parliament. The way the welfare bill is galloping through both the Commons and the House of Lords I think the quicker the target on Pats Petition is reached the better for everyone. It doesn’t take up a lot of room reminding people to sign and surely not only helps all of us but gives more credibility to the Spartacus campaign knowning that a lot of people are backing it.
Don’t disagree at all, problem is I don’t know how to do a logo that is also a link! I’m no IT expert!! Also, at some point we will need other buttons because we’ll be co-ordinating responses to the PIP consultation when the next document is out. It’ll be all sorts of important links etc competing for space at the ‘top’ of the website. I’m afraid the free WordPress software isn’t that flexible, especially when you’re not techy!! I’ll do my best…
Do you have a logo for Pat’s Petition you can send me? If so, email it to wearespartacus@ymail.com In the meantime, I have put an extra link at the top of the left hand column; unfortunately I can’t do it any other way than by having a heading and then the link below it. I might be able to add a logo if you have one
Join the other 29,635 people who have shown the strength of their feelings. We are shouting now and boy are we being heard. Nothing complicated – simple as signing Pat’s Petition. Linked already for you in the right hand column. Come on – louder and louder – we can do it.
Pat x
For international supporters who cannot sign the petitions based in Britain, there is one at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/welfare-benefit-reform—the-world-is-watching/.
Let the British government know that people outside Britain are paying attention and oppose Welfare Benefit Reform.
Please sign Pat’s Petition and ask absolutely everyone you know to sign too. If people are not disabled or a carer, remind them that the cuts to the benefits and services affect EVERYONE. Noone knows what tomorrow may bring and ANYONE could become disabled or a carer and if we do not do something now, there will be no safety net for ourselves and for future generations.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20968
I am so very tired…
I feel so very alone….
But I don’t know what I’ll do when my DLA is scrapped…
But I struggle to use the internet and reach people on social media sites…
But my family and friends aren’t listening…
But no-one believes me when I say what is happening…
I can’t go on…
But…I’ll go on…
….I’ll keep praying…
…I’ll keep listening…
…I’ll keep typing……..I’ll keep fighting…
Because I’m Spartacus!
I’m still not entirely clear as to precisely what, we are aiming to achieve.
I understand and support the goal of getting Pat’s Petition to debate in the Commons and I recognise the value of offering accurate links etc to specific info, however, where do you want wearespartacus to go and perhaps more important how do we get there?
Are all automatic members by signing up?
How do we make choices as to what we should do?
Are we a campaign engine, a place to spark ideas for the 600+ FB members to then take part in i.e tying a red ribbon on the doors of shops who have not paid taxes?
Are we a Political group calling on Govn to changes its Policies?
I think we need to answer these questions before we can truly move forward
There are no members, at least not formally. There is no organisation. There’s this website, but it’s not got any big authority. Spartacus is a movement, a way of working and a way of looking at things.
The website is here mainly to share resources, basically. Information, resources… is there anything else?
Sam’s view is very helpful as he’s been involved with what Sue and Kaliya are doing much longer than I have!
Thank you Sarah Levis for this link http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/welfare-benefit-reform—the-world-is-watching/.
I’ve posted it to my Facebook wall along with this message:
To my friends outside the UK, please read this. Your signature will help show the government here that the welfare reform bill in its current form will impoverish and stigmatise those already struggling with disabilities. Every signature counts. Thank you.
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