aAh! Magazine
You are here: Home / News / Manchester Represented At National ‘People’s Assembly Against Austerity’ Meeting
News

Manchester Represented At National ‘People’s Assembly Against Austerity’ Meeting

25th June 2013 By 0 195

Words by Neil Harrison
Representatives from Manchester meet Owen Jones at the People’s Assembly in London on Saturday

REPRESENTATIVES FROM MANCHESTER WERE AMONG a 4000-strong crowd at ‘The People’s Assembly Against Austerity’ in Westminster, London at the weekend.
The event, which made headline news, was attended by numerous political figures and activists – including Tony Benn, Ken Livingstone and Unite General Secretary Len McClusky, who called for ‘mass industrial action’.
Among the speakers was Stockport’s own Owen Jones (pictured with members of the Manchester delegation). The Chavs author and Independent columnist has been touring the country speaking at local People’s Assembly meetings, the largest of which was held at Manchester’s Central Hall, for months. He had this to say ahead of his speech on Saturday morning:
“It’s an incredible turnout. This is the biggest anti-austerity meeting since the [financial] crisis began. What this is about doing is building a united, broad movement. This is just the beginning – it’s a launchpad.”
“In the months ahead we’ll see local groups protesting [and taking] direct action. We’re going to send a loud, clear message to the government – enough is enough.” 
Attendee of both the regional and national meetings, David West, of Manchester, added:
“Manchester hosted the largest People’s Assembly in the country before today, with over 700 people in attendance, so it is only fitting that we are well represented here in London.”
“There are groups here from Salford University, local councils, Manchester students, local bedroom tax campaigns and many other groups affected by the cuts.”
To find out more about what went on at the People’s Assembly in London click here. 
Neil Harrison is studying Social History at Manchester Metropolitan University. He is an aspiring journalist and a terrible guitar player. Read his blog LooseRiver and follow him on Twitter @LooseRiver

About the author / 

aAh!

aAh! Magazine is Manchester Metropolitan University's arts and culture magazine.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • 14th April 2026

    The Slates @ Gorilla review – packed rooms and big ambitions for the Yorkshire Lads

    Featured image and gallery: Sam Holmes From Mirfield to Manchester, this Yorkshire-born four-piece bring their funk-interwoven indie rock to a sold-out Gorilla for their biggest headline show to date. Fresh off the back of their new single ‘Watch Life Burn’ and signing their first record deal with This Feeling/ LAB Records, there is already a…

  • 10th April 2026

    Manchester Film Festival 2026: Northern talent shines in record-breaking edition

    Feature image: Press The Manchester Film Festival has wrapped its 12th edition, running over 11 days and showcasing a strong line-up of local and international talent from across the independent film industry. Festival director Neil Jeram-Croft reflected on this year’s programme, filled with a mix of features, shorts and documentaries spanning the cities’ cinema hotspots:…

  • 10th April 2026

    Toots and the Maytals bring ‘Reggae Got Soul’ 50th anniversary tour to Manchester

    Featured image: Press Toots and the Maytals return to Manchester for their ‘Reggae Got Soul’ 50th anniversary tour. Following their hugely successful 2025 tour, Toots and the Maytals return to Manchester to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their landmark album, Reggae Got Soul. Fronted for decades by Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert – named by Rolling Stone…

Latest Articles