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From The Socialist newspaper, 5 June 2019
Bingley protesters condemn Tory leadership candidate
Protesting against Esther McVey in Bingley, 30.5.19, photo by Iain Dalton (Click to enlarge)
Around 20 people gathered outside the Brown Cow pub in Bingley on 30 May, where former Department for Work and Pensions minister Ester McVey was launching her Tory premiership campaign tour.
The launch took place in the constituency of McVey's partner, the notorious Philip Davies MP - known for talking out legislation on such issues as banning 'upskirting' and hospital parking charges.
Incredibly, McVey pitched the meeting as 'Blue Collar Conversations' aimed at working-class people, however the only people turning up for their meeting were well-dressed, huge car-driving local Tories.
Local workers commuting past the protest, tooted their support for the counter-protest, which displayed prominent Socialist Party 'Tories Out!' placards as well as homemade placards including one saying 'Sanctions don't create jobs... but socialism does'.
As DWP minister, McVey presided over the disastrous roll-out of Universal Credit and has defended the rising use of foodbanks as a positive thing - she even briefly tried to make the case once again for this before being escorted inside by her minders.
It is clear that the election of McVey or any other Tory leadership candidate as prime minister will continue the disastrous anti-working-class policies of austerity.
That's why what is necessary to change the situation, as our placards called for, is 'mass working-class action for a general election' with the trade unions playing the key role in pushing for this by calling a national demonstration to demand a general election.
Iain Dalton, West Yorkshire Socialist Party organiser
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
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In The Socialist 5 June 2019:
What we think
Corbyn must go on the offensive against the right with socialist policies
News
Tories deny dire poverty ...look around you! Boot out the Tories
Theresa May admits tuition fees system is broken - but plans new attacks on students
Laughable research denies low-pay scandal
Tiananmen square
The Tiananmen Square massacre - 30 years on
Workplace news
Strike together to kick out the Tories!
Nationalise the threatened Glasgow 'Caley' railway depot
Welsh train fleet workers' victory
Fighting to stop school meals privatisation
UCU conference 2019: Preparing for struggle
Sexual harassment of LGBT+ workers shows need for unions to fight
Universal Credit workers' strike
International socialist news and analysis
India: Modi victory underlines need for real socialist fightback
Nineteen Eighty-Four
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Tens of thousands march against Trump
Worcester libraries campaign victory
South Yorkshire: No to fire service cuts!
Protesters condemn Tory candidate
Step forward for campaign to reverse mobility pass cuts in Nottingham
LS26 campaign lobbies council to save their homes
Neglected Newham tenants demand action
Protest against Send education funding cuts
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