Liz McInnes and councillors join anti-austerity protest

Councillor Chris Furlong, Liz McInnes MP and Councillor Aasim Rashid at the anti-austerity march in Manchester

Liz McInnes, Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton, Castleton Councillor Aasim Rashid and Middleton Councillor Chris Furlong joined tens of thousands of people on the anti-austerity march in Manchester on Sunday (4 October).

Organisers estimate that around 60,000 people attended to demonstrate their opposition to Conservative attacks on ordinary working families, the public sector, and the trade unions.

Liz McInnes MP said: "I was delighted to take part in the march through Manchester on Sunday and to join thousands of people from the north west and across the country, as well as friends from Unite and other trade unions, in demonstrating our anger and opposition to the damaging policies of the Conservative government.

"People feel very strongly that policies such as the cuts to tax credits, cuts to local services, and cuts to frontline emergency services are unnecessary and are motivated purely by the Tories’ political ideology rather than any economic necessity.

"I will take every opportunity, both locally and in parliament, to make the feelings of ordinary working people known, and I will continue to fight for a fair deal for people here in Heywood and Middleton."

Councillor Rashid said: “We attended the anti-austerity protest with tens of thousands of people in Manchester on the opening day of the Tory Conference, voicing opposition to policies including spending and benefits cuts, NHS reforms and restrictions on trade unions. At the rally myself, Councillor Chris Furlong and Liz McInnes MP said no to austerity.”