Torbay

A 200 strong anti-austerity walk on the 18 July in Torbay, South Devon, was organised by local group Torbay3Towns which is led by Socialist Party member Nick Slater. Nick spoke passionately and powerfully on the day.

While the event itself was a great success in an area promoted as ‘The English Riviera’ (known more for its pier rather than protest) the real significance was the way we turned to the trade unions in the area for support and the relations we have built with them as a result.

These include Torbay Trades Council and five local union branches. One of the highlights was the speech made by Fire Brigades Union Secretary Scott Atkins from Totnes.

I spoke on behalf of the Socialist Party and our call for a 24-hour general strike was warmly received. We are following up the event with a meeting of Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition where Nick will be our guest speaker.

Alex Moore, Plymouth Socialist Party and TUSC Candidate Totnes

Demonstration in Hexham

Demonstration in Hexham   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Hexham

Over 100 people took to the streets of Hexham on 25 July to protest against austerity.

Organised by local activists, the protest is the first in this safe Tory seat – which even Thatcher’s attacks failed to stir. It just goes to show the impact of current cuts.

Hexham is described as an ‘outwardly prosperous’ town, but that perception can’t hide the fact that 300 children currently rely on food banks, or that there are one in four children living in poverty in parts of the town.

Despite some initial apprehension, the protesters were warmly received by market day shoppers, with many stall holders expressing their solidarity and people joining the march along the route.

Speakers at the rally included Avram Benjamin from Youth Fight for Jobs who raised the demand for a £10 per hour minimum wage now, a call to make the anti-union laws unworkable and the idea of a 24-hour general strike.

Ben Michaels, Newcastle Socialist Party