I wouldn’t like to be a banker. Not just because it’s a boring job – designed for people who are happy to trade the idea of freedom, creativity, independence and the time for a decent social life for a big fat pay cheque. And not because everyone in Britain hates bankers now – in fact make that everyone in the world. Bankers, I would imagine, beat journalists, estate agents and traffic wardens combined for unpopularity just now. They’re more unpopular than those difficult to open juice cartons, than council parking regulations, than parental curfews and being grounded.
But the reason I wouldn’t want to be a banker is nothing to do with that: it’s because this year bankers are the activist’s target. It’s official – well, as official as these things ever get. In the months ahead I’ve counted half a dozen actions which are going to be targeting the city – under the headings of financial crimes and war. On Fossil Fools day (April 1st) – one of the days this year when the bankers had better get used to dodging placards and D-locks as they try to get into their office – there’s even going to be a celebration of the 360th anniversary of the Diggers, the small group of English protesters during the Civil War, who are often seen as the founders of communism and anarchism.
The environment, above all, is going to be top of the list though. Activists are furious about the bailout cash that the bankers are getting – money that many of us believe should have gone into a green new deal which would have given far more in the end to the country. Beyond that there is the issue of carbon trading, the pretty useless idea that money men have come up with for dealing climate change, which does not actually reduce carbon
emissions, but just makes yet more money for industry and financial wizards. Climate Camp – who are planning to target the city with their camp this summer – says simply that carbon trading has been “one disaster after another”, and is “ineffective and undemocratic”. And this, worryingly, is probably the main mechanism proposed for dealing with climate change at the upcoming summit in Copenhagen, where hopefully a new deal to follow up Kyoto will be hammered out… Activists are desperate to spell out, by whatever means they can find, just how rubbish carbon trading is – so the money folk can look forward to blockades, banner
drops and lots lots more.
So if you’re a bit bored, and trying to think what to do with your days, my advice just now would be… don’t be a banker. But you probably didn’t need telling.