taff1954

As a teenage apprentice in the mid 70's, I decided at some stage to participate in one of the now famous CND marches in London. At the same time, I was more than a little infatuated with an attractive lass who rode alongside of me on my ride to polytech each day - on her shocking pink Vespa, with boots, gloves, helmet and catsuit to match. I didn't go along to this march because I wanted to end nuclear weapons; I went because Diane asked me to go with her, and to share her hotel room. We split when I refused to chain myself to the railings outside Westminster.

Fast forward to the 80's, and I was standing with other NZED workers in Taupo protesting Muldoons' wage freeze. Not just to protest about my wages, but because it was a day off, with pay.

A few years later, my wife suffered a 'medical misadventure'. She still cannot work. We fought for a change to ACC rules so she could get compensation, and eventually, we won, though not without considerable help from New Plymouths' then MP, Harry Duynhoven.

Every time the (usually National) government changes ACC, we go through another shit-fight. So when the latest announcements came through last month I was up in arms in a minute. I also happen to work with disabled people, many of whom are under ACC's "care". When the opportunity came on the 17th November to ride on Parliament, I decided I wanted to go. After a little to - and - fro-ing, I did.

Not because of a pretty girl, or a day off, nor to ride in such a massive event as it was, but because I can't stand by and watch this country get ripped off by big business, nor can I stand by and watch those who most need ACC's help get pushed to one side.

I may be just one person, but there's a lot more who are 'just one person' out there, and collectively we can make a difference.

That's why I went to Wellington last week.