Bradford – anger at Labour and Starmer
Tom Gibson, Bradford Socialist Party
There were over 100 people in Bradford. And other demonstrations in York and Leeds were even bigger. We gave out plenty of Socialist Party leaflets, outlining our position.
Some of the speakers brought up links between the fight for workers’ rights and trans rights. Labour and Keir Starmer were a constant focus of criticism, highlighting the anger felt by the LGBTQ+ people at both Starmer’s anti-trans policies, and his punitive approach to issues like welfare and disability benefits.
It stuck out that several speakers, including a young trans child, stated that this was their first time speaking at a public demonstration.
Sobering statistics around the issues trans people face were brought up, as were the murders and suicides of trans people. This shows the brutal reality.
While there was some anxiety, particularly among young speakers, about the potential loss of trans rights, there was also a positive mood of solidarity. The Socialist Party fights for the rights of trans people, both against discrimination and for access to healthcare, housing, and jobs.
York – Labour has left us with one option… fight back!
Louie Nardini, York Socialist Party
Last Saturday, we attended a protest in the city centre of York against the Supreme Court’s ruling attacking trans rights.
Labour’s choice to back the Supreme Court’s discrimination is not in line with a party that should be standing for workers’ rights.
To push forward, there needs to be a struggle for socialist change. Our paper, the Socialist, which we sold at the protest, highlights this necessity. Many who bought it agreed that Labour’s stance isn’t very surprising, considering its simultaneous attacks on disabled people, unions, and migrants.
The Socialist Party flyer we handed out stated the option Labour has left us with: “Time to Organise! Fight for trans rights and socialist change!”
