This morn I achieved one of my goals to mark this monumental NewYears - 2021, Brexit, Covid consequences, climate danger, mounting poverty, inequality. I finished this book by @pollytoynbee . I wanted to see better the big picture we face. Here’s a THREAD on my insights.

2. The reason I ws intrigued by @pollytoynbee & Walker book is that it ws published early March, only days before Covid truly swamped us all. So it contains no refs to Covid. Yet Covid has exacerbated everythng they show. I wanted reassurance on where to focus my efforts in 2021

3. Let me begin with the good news. They believe change is possible. But only if, as a society, we stop living in denial of suffering. Here’s one of t final paras: “What matters most? The things we can only provide together, jointly.” In my words, that’s CONNECTION.

4. Covid has taught us ths, has it not? What people crave most of all is connection. To hug their parents, to know their childrn are safe, to know they are valued at work, to hv company when it gets scary. Covid has shown us what matters. In our craving for normalcy, let’s learn.

5. “The Brexit referendum switch tripped resentments.... It was Austerity that drove it.” The direction of our collective future - for the rest of my life, when I wake tomorrow - results from feelings of anger & disconnection. I will not forget that. CONNECTION is the answer.

6. “No system can be simple unless it is brutally unfair.” @pollytoynbee was talking about universal credit. I think it applies to all systems.
I will not forget.

7. “Before the crash, food banks had been virtually unknown. The @TrussellTrust had just 2. By 2020, there were well over 2000.”
It does not require a lot of time for things to change. I will not forget.
@havenstonehaven

8. “What if we can define ourselves only against others? .... ‘Is this food for British people?’ I was asked. ‘Brexit did this. It gave permission. I say to them, ‘This food is for hungry people.’”
There is no #ThemAndUs
I will not forget.

9. “A social democracy that trusts in common purposes, with a fairer sharing of prospects and wealth. Much of what was lost can be regained.”
The last 2 sentences by @pollytoynbee & Walker.
There is #Hope.
#Connection is key.
I will not forget.

10/end.
Okay 2021, let’s do it.
I will not forget the lessons of 2020.
#connection
#curiosity
#courage
#breathe

ps 11/end. For anyone who wd like to know more abt @pollytoynbee & Walker's book, here is the @guardian review, published 3 March - just before Covid changed us all. Note this line: "It is a perverse society that chooses to harm its youngest most." https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/03/lost-decade-hidden-story-how-austerity-broke-britain

ps12/EndTruly But let me end by shining a light on bright spots, as @pollytoynbee & Walker do. They remind us that in Scotland & Wales, it became assault for children ever to be hit. THANK YOU to all who brought into being this future. @children1st @margl43 @Ulgrid