Euan Thomas, West Yorkshire Socialist Party
A crowd of 200 people rallied against proposed council tax increases of 10%. We set up our Socialist Party campaign stall, giving out our placards opposing the Labour council’s proposed rise, demanding the super-rich pay.
Socialist Party member Tom Gibson took to the steps to address the crowd. “It’s time working-class people stood up against the exploitation of our city… We can build a mass movement to fight this increase, and the cuts.”
We asked demonstrators to sign our petition to force a debate during the coming budget meeting. Signatures came in thick and fast, over 100. We struggled to close our stall as people asked to sign.
Those we talked to shared sentiment of anger and betrayal, especially as it has recently been reported that some councillors have missed their tax payments. “It’s one rule for us and another for them”, one said.
Even as some felt hopeless, the turnout was a rousing reminder of public support for the message of our campaign.
