News / Bristol
Rally against austerity could be Bristol’s biggest uprising yet
An uprising against the Government-imposed austerity that is bringing Bristol to breaking point will take place next month.
Mayor Marvin Rees has now issued an official rallying call for people across the city to unite on September 9 and march in protest at the vicious public sector cuts that are taking their toll across the country.
“Across the UK, there are adult and children’s social care departments struggling to keep up with the costs of rising demand on their services,” said Rees.
is needed now More than ever
“Council services are being reduced and stopped to find the money to keep the essential life and limb services from falling over. This isn’t right and it isn’t a reflection of the driving force that cities have become in the modern economy.”
The mayor’s official announcement comes after a collective of key representatives from lobby, political and trade union groups in the city called on him to publicly support a mass demonstration that they hope will make waves throughout the UK.
“There is the potential for a huge Bristol demonstration in opposition to cuts imposed on this city, and many others, by the Conservative government – one with a national impact,” said a spokesperson for Bristol People’s Assembly when they announced plans for a public rally last month.
Marvin Rees says he is concerned about the cost of public sector cuts
Rees will join other core city leaders in Westminster on September 12, to present a green paper, ‘Invest Reform Trust: A Core Cities UK Green Paper for a Stronger, Fairer Britain’.
This, he says, reflects that cities are the drivers of the modern economy and are magnets for culture, talent and investment. Yet, according to estimates from the Local Government Association, by 2020, councils will have lost 75 per cent of the funding they had in 2015.
Thousands marched through the streets of Bristol in May to protest against cuts to school budgets
“Cities are at breaking point when it comes to council provided services,” continued Rees.
“What I’m concerned about as a city leader is the cost of the cuts. These short-term savings will undermine our communities and population health and will ultimately cost us more in the medium to long-term. It’s crucial we take this case to government.
“It’s important that along with making the case to government ministers, we get support from as many MPs in Westminster as possible. My message is simple, if you believe that there is an alternative to austerity then join with me, the Trade Unions, the People’s Assembly and the people of Bristol on September 9 to show the government and other UK cities that we want change and we’re prepared to take that ask to Westminster.”
Members of Bristol People’s Assembly protest against austerity and local government cuts
At least 17 organisations and groups in Bristol have pledged their support for the rally which will take place on College Green at 12pm on Saturday, September 9.
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