Protesters fill square against Tory Hillingdon council’s cuts

Protesters fill square against Hillingdon council’s cuts

Over 500, mostly young people, lobbied Hillingdon council in West London on 24 February to make their voices – and music – heard in opposition to the attacks on young people that the Tory council is forcing through.

Ian Harris

The Hillingdon Music Service (HMS), which provides lessons and support for young musicians and is under threat of closure, took part in the protest.

They were joined by young people who use the Connexions service, also facing closure, and local trade unionists marching up the high street to the civic centre, chanting ‘No ifs! No buts! No public sector cuts!’

Trade union banners and flags from Unison and Unite mingled with home made banners supporting HMS and Connexions as protesters filled the square. The council was forced to allow 100 protesters into the meeting, but still refused to save HMS and Connexions.

Hillingdon Against Cuts now needs to call a mass meeting of all local trade unionists and anti-cuts campaigners to bring them together into a force that can fight the cuts.