On Friday 23 January a 500-strong demonstration stopped the eviction of 63 year old Tom Crawford from his home in Nottingham.
Tom was due to be evicted by bailiffs acting on behalf of Bradford and Bingley building society who claim he owes them £45,000.
Tom is suffering from cancer and when faced with eviction last year put a video on YouTube saying he would give a cup of tea to anyone who came to help avoid his eviction. It struck a chord went viral and hundreds turned up to stop the eviction.
Tom said: “I can’t believe that people have come from all over the country to support me. This is something I feel very passionate about – I’ve been here more than 25 years and have brought three children up here. I’ve worked hard all my life.”
The bailiffs can return unannounced but it will be difficult for them to evict Tom with so many alerted and ready to defend him.
Tom claims he has paid over £120, 000 in mortgage payments and Bradford and Bingley don’t deny he paid that amount. This illustrates how banks exploit people for their own huge profits. Building societies such as Bradford and Bingley were originally “mutuals” meant to provide low interest loans. Deregulation has resulted in an increasing drive for profits.
Bradford and Bingley was technically nationalised in 2008. However, like other such banks, it continues its heartless pursuit of profits with the victims being people like Tom. Nationalisation should be under workers’ and service users’ democratic control.
