Huge anti-austerity protest expected during Tory conference in Manchester

North West England is bracing for anti-austerity protests coinciding with the weekend’s Conservative party conference in Manchester.

One pressure group has been quoted as saying that some 100,000 activists are expected to attend demonstrations and other events, including a rally that will be addressed by various speakers including Labour party’s Jeremy Corbyn and Green party’s Natalie Bennett.

“Instead being able to have an uninterrupted media to advertise their policies, the Tories will be forced on austerity as majority of people in this country don’t want to have cuts, don’t want trade unions to be attacked, and don’t want David Cameron taking them to war in Syria”, John Rees from Stop the War Coalition told Press TV.

Activists say the main event coinciding with the four-day  Conservative conference is a huge anti-austerity protest called by the People’s Assembly and the TUC, the national trade union representing the vast majority of organized workers. They say they expect more than double the number of people attended the last anti-Tory rally in the city.

“Tens of thousands are expected to join the march,” Transport for Greater Manchester said in a statement. It has also warned travelers to expect significant disruption on Sunday afternoon as all roads on the march will be closed. A two-hour closure of Deansgate train station has also announced.

According to some analysts, the Tory conference could add to local economy worth £29m. However, there are a general discontent in Manchester against the ruling party and its policies. The city has no sitting Conservative MP or Councilor.

“Tories are rarer than unicorns in Manchester”, said local TV presenter Terry Christian adding that the city’s history is incongruous with the decision for the Conservatives to hold conference there.

“I think the government will be lucky to run its full term. I think some of the legislations it embarked on is profoundly reactionary and damaging the working people with trade union bill which will effectively outlaw the trade unions activities in this country and millions of people are willing to protest against that. I think the idea of bombing Syria is deeply unpopular and dangerous and the people realize that. I think the fact that Jeremy Corbyn is now the leader of Labour party is one expression of that mood in this country”, Rees said.

“One thing he is speaking at which is organized jointly by the Communication Workers Union and the People’s Assembly and postal services staff. I’m sure that Jeremy will address whole raft of privatizations which essentially deprive this country of all democratic concerns over most essential services. I’m sure some of the most important things in people’s lives like for instance railway networks or energy companies should be in public ownership and polls show most people in this country agree with him on that”,  he added.     

The prospective demonstrations dubbed “Take Back Manchester”  highlight angers over  the Conservative’s austerity measures emanating from a wide range of groups: from students to workers.  

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police are preparing for an extra security measures at the weekend. The police department has received extra funding from the Home Office for the huge security operation across the city especially the conference venue and places where delegates will be accommodated. “The police force supports democratic right to protest peacefully but will not allow the conference itself to be disrupted”, John O’Hare, Chief Superintendent said.

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