CAMPAIGNERS are getting ready to head to London for the biggest demonstration in a decade.
Hundreds of protesters will leave on buses from Huddersfield and Dewsbury early tomorrow morning to take part in the March for the Alternative.
The Trades Union Congress hopes the demonstration against public spending cuts will attract half a million people – the biggest protest since the anti-Iraq War march in 2003.
Mike Foster, of campaigning group Kirklees Save Our Services, said yesterday there was a lot of interest in the event in Huddersfield. “People are keen to show their opposition to Government cuts,” he said.
“There are seven coaches heading from Huddersfield and some trade unionists have also booked seats on trains down to London.”
The Conservative/Lib Dem coalition Government plans to cut public spending by £81bn in the next four years.
Kirklees Council will slash its budget by £80m in the next three years with the loss of at least 1,700 jobs.
West Yorkshire Police will lose 1,000 posts in the next year as part of the spending squeeze.
But Mr Foster said there is an alternative way to deal with the £148.5bn deficit.
“There is £120bn in unpaid tax and £76bn we could save by scrapping the Trident renewal,” he said.
“I would also cancel the national debt by telling the institutions to whom we are paying exorbitant interest that they can whistle for the money.
“That’s what Argentina did.
“I believe we should default and increase public spending to provide jobs and services.
“That’s the only way out of this mess.”
Ian Brooke, of Kirklees Save Our Services, will also be attending the march tomorrow.
He said: “I think it’s realistic to hope that there will be 500,000 people on the demonstration.
“I don’t think the march will change anything in and of itself, but it’s part of a process of building resistance to the cuts.”
Trade union Unison has organised four coaches travelling from Huddersfield Bus Station and one from Dewsbury Bus Station.
