Standing up to austerity on the south coast

Trade Union and anti-cuts activists from across Hampshire came together on 28 November at the invitation of Southampton RMT shipping branch to launch Stand Up on the South, a campaign of direct action and civil disobedience in opposition to the Con-Dems’ austerity agenda.

Over 50 attended the meeting from over a dozen trade union branches, anti-cuts groups and socialist organisations.

Speakers included RMT activists Mick Tosh and Daz Procter, Southampton anti-cuts councillor Keith Morell, Jon Woods from Portsmouth Against Cuts Together and Nick Chaffey from the Socialist Party.

An enthusiastic discussion included contributions from Dave Hansford PCS HMRC activist and Tim Cutter, Hampshire Unison branch secretary.

The meeting agreed to support protests on Saturday 8 December against top tax avoider Starbucks, and hold monthly joint activities across the county to rally opposition to the cuts.

Ben Norman, Portsmouth Socialist Party