When it comes to austerity, the generation clash is a myth | Lola Okolosie

Austerity has pitted the old and young against each other in the competition for housing, education and care. But in reality, we 99% are in it together

The concept of divide and rule has been an effective tool of governance since ancient times. This is what came to mind as I sat in a break-out session entitled "Tackling the challenges faced by older women" at this year's Labour women's conference. The fact is that the struggles those of us on the left hold dear - tackling inequalities in health, education, income and housing - are a worry for us all, young and old, working- and middle-class, black or white. We will have to bust the myths that pit us against each other when, in truth, we share a common enemy - the 1% and a government that is happy to brazenly transfer public wealth into private hands.

Related: The Guardian view on the generation gap: youth clubbed | Editorial

The over-55s are not a homogeneous blob of the financially secure and comfortable

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