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The Socialist 10 October 2012 |
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Birmingham Tory conference demo
Marchers support call for 24-hour general strike
Tony Leigh, Birmingham Socialist Party
A ring of steel greeted protesters who were in Birmingham to show their anger outside the Tory conference on Sunday 7 October.
An unprecedented security operation was in force which included drafting in hundreds of extra police, entire streets sealed off with a metal wall, and a phalanx of private security guards sent from the infamous security personnel 'provider' G4S.
Nevertheless, thousands of trade unionists, youth, unemployed workers and pensioners turned out for a noisy and vibrant march and rally.
Dozens of trade union banners and placards festooned the mass of marchers, proceeding noisily accompanied by Indian drummers and two trade union brass bands.
Unfortunately the route of the march itself was mainly confined to deserted back streets. The trade union movement must do more in future to make sure it is not hidden from view!
The rally heard contributions from a number of local and national trade union leaders. The best by far were from RMT's Bob Crow, PCS's John McInally and FBU's Matt Wrack.
In his fighting speech Bob Crow received the biggest cheer of the day when he called for the full renationalisation of the railways.
But vitally both Bob and John McInally concretely posed that the next step against the Con-Dems' austerity agenda, after the 20 October national demo, should be a 24-hour general strike.
Bob said: "We can march and march again but enough's enough. The TUC must look at the practicalities of coordinating industrial action across the public and private sectors."
In this issue
Socialist Party news and analysis
 Tories promise more pain... Kick out the 'nasty party'!
Labour Party conference - not fighting austerity
Arguing the case for a 24-hour general strike
Birmingham Tory conference demo
'Millions crying out for leadership and for an alternative'
Anti-austerity candidates selected for November contests
No welfare cuts
Health workers must fight attacks on jobs and pay
Politicians line up to attack abortion rights
The hidden homeless - "Sofa surfing is my lot"
Them & Us
Transport feature
Send the transport privatisers packing
International socialist news and analysis
Venezuela presidential election
Greece: escalating the action against austerity
South Africa: 'What are we doing about this government that is killing us?'
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Why we're marching on 20 October
More success for Socialist Students
Save East Midlands ambulances
Campaign Kazakhstan: A musical and political evening
Youth Fight for Jobs and Education fortnight of action 13-27 October
Dewsbury fights health service cuts
Waltham Forest: Parents and staff unite against school sell-off
Sunderland anti-fascists stand up against divisive EDL
Socialist Party workplace news
South Wales bus workers receive strong support for strike
Fighting the construction industry blacklist
Workplace nurseries saved in HMRC
Leeds solidarity with Crossrail battle
Mid Yorkshire Health admin staff ballot for strike
Bin workers' strike threat
Workplace news in brief
Marxism
TV review : Masters of Money - Karl Marx
Marx was right!
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