Bristol
Around 2,000 people marched under the Enough is Enough banner in solidarity with the unions taking strike action, and in opposition to the energy price rises and corporate greed.
The march made its way to protest outside the offices of Ovo Energy, who’s millionaire CEO suggested we all wear jumpers to keep our energy costs down! It visited the RMT and Aslef picket line at Temple Meads station where speakers included President of Bristol Trades Council and Socialist Party member Sheila Caffrey. The march finished at the nearby Postal Delivery Office, linking up with the CWU pickets.
Earlier in the week, Unison workers at Bristol University had taken three days of strike action, and UCU members at City of Bristol college were on strike too – both solid and determined to win.
One thing clearly on everyone’s mind is the need to link the strikes, and the realisation that coordinated workers’ action could bring the government down. Speaking on the march, Sheila described the Tory budget as “a declaration of war on the working class”. In response to the marchers chanting “the unions united will never be defeated”. She demanded that the TUC Congress be used as a “council of war” to coordinate the strikes, and that it should change its 2 November lobby of parliament into a massive midweek demo, to flood the streets of London with striking trade unionists.
Roger Thomas, Bristol Socialist Party
Leeds
Several hundred people gathered outside Leeds train station for the Enough is Enough rally. The group stood in solidarity with the RMT and Aslef strikers.
The crowd marched to the British Gas offices. There a number of protesters ceremonially burned their energy bills.
We moved on to the Royal Mail picket line in Hunslet, our final destination. Mention of the Tories was met with clear anger, especially as the current prime minister hails from Leeds.
What struck me throughout the march, was that I didn’t hear the word ‘nationalise’ from any platform speakers. It felt like some speakers, like local Labour MP Richard Burgon, see the movement as a release valve for workers’ anger, or they hope that it will apply some pressure to Labour to shift left.
Socialist Party members attending argued that all utilities should be nationalised, and run under the democratic control of workers. And that we need a new mass party that fights for it.
Paul Thomas, Leeds Socialist Party
London
Thousands of people gathered at Kings Cross station in London. Speakers included trade union leaders from RMT, CWU, NEU and Equity, and ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. The speeches voiced the anger and fear being experienced by millions who face difficult decisions this winter on whether to heat their homes or feed their families. A mention of socialism during Jeremy’s speech drew cheers from the crowd.
Socialist Party members attending the event met lots of people interested in learning more about what we stand for and how to get involved. It was clear to all in attendance that the public mood has shifted, and that there is an urgent need for a new mass workers’ party.
June Angus, West London Socialist Party
Sheffield
Approximately 2,000 people gathered for the march and demonstration in Sheffield. 20 Socialist Party members attended, meeting seven more people interested in joining while we were there. It seemed like there were many people on their first-ever demonstration, and the atmosphere was impressive – a real sense of solidarity with the 200,000 workers on strike that day, and clear anger towards the Tories.
Unfortunately, I was refused the opportunity to speak representing NHS workers. The vice chair of Sheffield Trades Council, a Socialist Workers Party (SWP) member, said it was to prioritise speakers from the striking unions, the People’s Assembly and trades council. As it transpired, however, there was room for SWP speakers from a climate campaign and Stand Up To Racism!
The rally missed a great opportunity to provide clear steps of action for the anticipating crowd to take. There was no mention of coordinated action, the need for a new worker’s party, or socialism.
It is clear there is growing support for this campaign and it’s demands, suggesting that there is a growing layer of people that have actually had enough, and many are looking for a political alternative
Holly Johnston, Sheffield Socialist Party and GMB rep in NHS
Hull
More than 500 trade unionists and community activists rallied in Queens Gardens and marched to the St Peters Street CWU picket line in Hull. Speaker after speaker condemned Truss and the Tories.
Joyce Marshall, speaking on behalf of the Unity Shop (Hull Trades Council food bank), probably got the loudest cheers when she spoke from the heart about the poverty conditions facing ordinary people.
Matt Whale, a nurse and Socialist Party member, made the case for socialism as the answer to the crisis we face. There was clear determination from the crowd to kick the Tories out, but correct doubts about whether Starmer’s Labour has the policies or will to really tackle the crisis.
The Socialist Party sold 75 copies of the Socialist and raised nearly for £40 our fighting fund, by campaigning for socialist policies and a new mass party that fights for them.
Mick Whale, Hull Socialist Party and National Education union member
Enough is Enough: But what do we do at the ballot box?
The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition invites you to join its series of public discussions. A list of events can be found at tusc.org.uk/events
