IN Hong Kong they protested about democracy - in Manchester's Albert Square it's going to be an anti-austerity demonstration.
We could do with the government listening to the howls of rage from northern cities about the inequitable cuts.
This will focus on the disproportionate funding cuts imposed on cities such as Manchester (£59m in 2015/16 - read here) compared to the cuts gently drifted onto prosperous county towns and shire districts.
Generally accepted figures indicate Manchester would be £50m per annum better off if the average national cut had been imposed on the city.
Thus, on Tuesday 3 February, Shaun Ryder, Terry Christian and council leader, Sir Richard Leese, will speechify about the problems being caused to the city, with provision for kids and the elderly especially hard hit, as well as aspects of city centre life including maintenance and litter-picking.
The audience at the meeting is being invited to hold their illuminated smartphones aloft and shine out their protest. People will then be asked to tweet an anti-austerity message to government with the hastag #ManvCam.
Stand up for Manchester #manVcam 5 days to go
— Sir Richard Leese (@SirRichardLeese) January 29, 2015
Shaun Ryder has said: “I’m proud to stand up for Manchester at this major city rally. There should be no more cuts for kids and elderly people in our communities.”
Confidential just wishes the reference in all the press releases about the rally hadn't been with regard to the Hong Kong protests. They failed.
Still the cause is worthy. We could do with the government listening to the howls of rage from northern cities about the inequitable cuts. All the big 2014 autumn news about scientific and cultural investment in Manchester won't replace the loss of almost £1m a week in the more isolated and poor neighbourhoods.
The event on Tuesday 3 February runs from 5.45pm-6.45pm.
