The TUC have issued the following additional information on the demonstration to be held on 29th September.
All Together for the NHS: The Farm adds their support to TUC Manchester rally
Liverpool band, The Farm, together with other bands will be supporting the TUC’s march and rally in Manchester on Sunday 29 September against NHS cuts and privatisation.
The event takes place on the first day of the Conservative Party Conference, and has been organised to give supporters of the NHS and those who say no to the government’s austerity plan, the chance to deliver that message loud and clear.
The protest will highlight the impact of huge job losses and spending across the health service, as well as the rapid sell-off of the most lucrative parts of the NHS to private healthcare companies, many of whom are also Conservative Party donors.
Lead singer of The Farm Peter Hooton said: ‘There are some things in life worth fighting for and we believe the NHS is one of them. One of our members, Steve Grimes, is still alive today thanks to the wonderful care he received after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. ‘Nye Bevan said the NHS would last as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it. The Farm, like many others, have that faith. Patients before profit.’
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: ‘This September’s march and rally will allow thousands of ordinary people to show the government exactly what they think of their policies.
Austerity is having a devastating effect on our communities and services, with 21,000 NHS jobs lost over the last three months alone.
The NHS is one of Britain’s finest achievements and we will not allow ministers to destroy, through cuts and privatisation, what has taken generations to build.’
TUC North West Regional Secretary Lynn Collins, who has organised the event in conjunction with the unions said: ‘Our NHS is under attack and we want to send the strongest message to the Conservatives that we will not stand by and let them sell-off our national treasure.
‘But it’s not just our health service under attack. Workers in the North West and beyond have had enough of a government that cuts and cuts – whether it be jobs, services or wages. That’s why we are taking to the streets on 29 September.’
Around 30,000 people are expected to attend the march and rally which starts on Liverpool Road at 11am.
Regards
Pat McDonagh
Branch Secretary
