Catalogue Number
NMLH.2024.69.1
Object Name
badge
Title
'Peoples March For Jobs. May 81. Eastern Leg'
Place
Huddersfield, London
People
People's March For Jobs 1981
Events
People's March For Jobs 1981
Description
A green badge with a picture of a road down the middle of it, and the text 'Peoples March For Jobs. May 81. Eastern Leg'.
The 1981 People's March For Jobs had two routes - one beginning in Liverpool and the other beginning in Huddersfield. The marchers walked down the length of the country to London. Around 220 of the approximately 500 registered marchers were on the eastern leg, meeting the western leg from Liverpool somewhere in the Midlands. The march was called to protest mass unemployment caused in part by the deindustrialization of Britain in the 1970s and 1980s. The March was inspired by successful unemployment rallies in Liverpool and Glasgow, and emulated the spirit of the 1930s Hunger Marches that travelled from Jarrow to London to demand jobs.
The March went to London where they were hosted by Greater London Council (GCL) leader Ken Livingstone in County Hall. Events held in the marchersâ honour included a 150,000 strong rally in Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square, which was at the time, one of the largest political demonstrations in British postwar history. The principal organisers were Trade Union Congress (TUC) Regional Secretaries Peter Carter, Colin Barnett, and Jack Dromey. The March had representatives from across the political spectrum and had widespread public support. However ultimately no governmental policy change was forthcoming as a result of the march.
