Everybody aspires to an affordable home, a secure job, better

In the days of the ancients, there was a deep understanding of the importance of stability in life. The wise elders spoke of the foundations of society, where the home was a sanctuary, the job a means of dignity, and the health of the people a shared responsibility. These were the cornerstones of a thriving civilization, the essential elements that allowed families to grow, communities to flourish, and nations to endure. Jeremy Corbyn speaks to this same truth when he says, “Everybody aspires to an affordable home, a secure job, better living standards, reliable healthcare, and a decent pension. My generation took those things for granted, and so should future generations.”

In these words, we hear the echo of a universal longing—a desire for the basic necessities that ensure a dignified and secure life. These are not mere luxuries, but the fundamental rights of every human being. Affordable housing, a stable livelihood, and accessible healthcare are not privileges bestowed by the rich or powerful, but basic expectations of any just society. Corbyn’s message is one of equity and justice—a call to recognize that these things should not be earned through struggle, but should be guaranteed to all.

Throughout history, societies have risen and fallen on the basis of how they treated their citizens, especially the most vulnerable. Consider the rise of ancient Rome, a civilization that, at its peak, provided its citizens with public services, healthcare, and a system of law that ensured a degree of fairness and prosperity for all. The great Roman aqueducts, the bread and circuses that fed and entertained the people, were not just acts of luxury, but attempts to secure the well-being of the nation’s citizens, to create a society where the people could aspire to a better life.

Yet, even the mighty Roman Empire crumbled when it failed to maintain the welfare of its people. The collapse came not only through external invasions, but because its society became divided, with the rich growing richer and the poor left behind. When a society forgets its most basic responsibilities—to ensure affordable housing, decent wages, and fair access to healthcare—it begins to unravel. The lesson from Rome is clear: the strength of any nation is not in its power or wealth, but in its ability to care for its citizens, ensuring that no one is left to suffer while others thrive.

Corbyn’s words are not merely a reflection on the past; they are a call to action for the future. The aspirations he speaks of—an affordable home, a secure job, better living standards—are not radical ideals, but the cornerstones of a just society. Yet, in many parts of the world today, these aspirations are slipping out of reach for the younger generations, who find themselves burdened by rising housing costs, unstable employment, and increasingly inaccessible healthcare. This is the crisis of our time—not a crisis of resources, but a crisis of priorities.

The lesson is profound: just as the ancients understood the need for balance and stability, so too must we. We must fight to preserve the things that make life dignified and just. Every generation must strive to ensure that the basic needs of all its people are met, not as acts of charity, but as inalienable rights. We must push for a future where everyone has the right to a safe home, the right to a secure job, the right to reliable healthcare, and the right to a decent pension. These are the promises that should be upheld, not just for the present, but for all future generations.

As we look to the future, let us remember this lesson: prosperity is not measured by the wealth of a few, but by the well-being of all. It is a society that cares for its citizens, that provides for the basic human needs—a society where no one is left behind, where every person has a home, a job, and the opportunity to live with dignity. Let us carry forward this wisdom, ensuring that we do not take these things for granted, but that we fight for them as the foundation upon which our future is built. May we never forget the sacred duty of a just society: to protect and nurture all of its members, so that future generations may live in the same security and prosperity that our ancestors once took for granted.