QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAIN

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2011 :: RMTnews 31 Dear editor, I don’t agree with Mark Seddon’s article ‘Sign the people’s pledge’ (RMT News Oct 2011). Based on the last general election and the vote on the recent EU referendum your choice of pro-ref candidate at the next general election will much more likely be from the right (UKIP, BNP, Tory) as from the left (Labour or Socialist). People’s Pledgers might respond; but of course we wouldn’t vote for UKIP, BNP or Tory, we would abstain in those constituencies where the left didn’t have a candidate. But for politically unaligned workers our union’s backing sends a message to them that even some leftwingers think that the EU is the most important issue so they should vote for a candidate who supports an EU referendum: someone much more likely to be right wing than left. It gets worse, as the logic of making the referendum the deciding issue would also lead to calls for pro-ref left candidates to stand down in constituencies where that would help the pro-ref right winger win the seat. Polls suggest that the EU is very low on people’s list of priorities. 50 per cent say the economic situation is the most important issue; unemployment (11 per cent) comes second. As far as priorities go the EU/Europe is in joint 10th place (tied with six other issues) and yet People’s Pledgers want to make it the centre piece of the next general election campaign. Voters will rightly think that we don’t know or care about what they think so our socialist ideas on the economy, jobs, poverty etc, won’t get a hearing. I am in favour of a referendum but not in making it the flagship policy of my political platform. Far better a campaign for jobs for all or a workers’ plan for the crisis. Tony Byrne R MT constitution officer Yvonne Sawford recently ran the Snowdonia Marathon – reportedly the toughest in Europe. “Standing on the start line in very wet, cold and windy conditions my hopes of completing it in around three hours 40 were replaced with those of just surviving,” was her honest assessment as she surveyed the 26.2 miles that lay ahead of her, contemplating the two nigh-on 1,200m climbs they would also have to scale. Navigating the famous Llanberis Pass, and circumnavigating the Snowdon massif itself, the route traverses trails and roads over a course which starts and finishes in the town of Llanberis. Snowdon features in Welsh folklore through both the Arthurian legends, and as site of the tomb of the giant Rhitta Gawr. And it certainly commanded a giant of a performance from all those who chose to take to the start line. Yvonne’s fears, however, proved no more of an obstacle to her than the relative molehill the mountain metaphorically became, as she covered the inhospitable terrain in a tremendous time of 3:32:24. In doing so, she was placed 12th lady overall, and runner-up spot in the Female Vet45 age bracket Reflecting on the event, Yvonne said that a steady start had served her well, and though the especially testing three miles from the 22-mile mark were “hell”, she had managed to garner enough energy for a sprint finish! “The experience was one that – after ten previous marathons – definitely stood out among them. “I can honestly say I’ve never felt such a sense of achievement,” Yvonne said. R etired rail worker and long- standing union activist Wally Levy recently completed the London Bridges Walk in aid of kidney research. Wally walked over seven bridges on the route and raised £477 in sponsorship money. He proudly wore the RMT logo as head-office staff and Kings Cross branch members backed him in his endeavours. Wally retired after 42 years service to the union and is still out and about on behalf of his branch. QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAIN WALLY WALKS THE LINE NO TO THE PEOPLE’S PLEDGE