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Thousands have taken to the streets of London to demand a general election now, along with more support for ordinary people struggling with the cost of living crisis. The ‘Britain is Broken’ march to parliament was led by unions and community organisations, with speakers including Mick Lynch and Jeremy Corbyn. They were joined by climate protesters carrying Extinction Rebellion flags. Organizers from the People’s Assembly campaign group said they wanted to “shutdown London” to force ministers to heed calls for a national referendum, fairer pay settlements, new cost of living support measures and more. Jeremy Corbyn joined the demonstration near parliament (Reuters) Extinction Rebellion protesters taking part in the protest in London (PA) “The government is in deep crisis and the third prime minister in a few months has been decided by a small elite… We want working class people to join us today to show how angry and determined we are, and fight the new wave of austerity imposed on us by the government,” said Ramona McCartney, the national organizer of the People’s Assembly. More than 465,000 people have signed a petition created by The Independent arguing that it is time for voters to decide who runs the country as part of our Election Now campaign. Speakers at Saturday’s protest include Mr Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Shipping and Transport Workers’ Union, former Labor leader Mr Corbyn, his former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and Laura Pidcock, secretary of the People’s Assembly and former MP of the Workers. RMT chief Mick Lynch on the course (PA) A protester calling for the resignation of Secretary of the Interior Suella Braverman (PA) Mr Corbyn, warning of a return to austerity, told a crowd in Trafalgar Square: “We now have a new prime minister and a new chancellor. I don’t have high hopes for this budget.” “What I suspect is that it will be another tax giveaway for the super rich.” A mother who brought her seven-year-old twin boys to the protest said she wanted a change in leadership to help her cope. Speaking in Trafalgar Square, Michelle Uden, 34, who cares for her epileptic husband at their home in New Eltham, south-east London, told the PA: “Enough is enough. If we don’t stand up and fight, we will sit and cry. Protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square (PA) “We want to get rid of Rishi Sunak, we want more funding for the NHS, we want it to stop being privatised. “We want the Tories out – it’s the only way to change.” A poll for the Independent this week showed almost two-thirds (61 per cent) of voters want an early election. Focus groups have also seen a surge in desire for a new national vote from both Tory and Labor voters in recent weeks. Ed Dorrell, director at research and strategy group Public First, said the call for an election had come up “a lot more” in its recent focus groups. “There is a general feeling that the Tory government has run out of steam, a general feeling that we need to start again,” he said. Both Labor and the Lib Dems have stepped up their general election planning since Liz Truss was forced to stand down, according to party sources. March for the general election passes through parliament (PA) The Tories are on their third prime minister since the 2019 election (PA) More than 500 people have signed up to lobby MPs on the need for a vote at sittings in parliament on Wednesday evening ahead of the TUC-led “general election now” rally. Hundreds more are expected to join the People’s Assembly march for elections on November 5.
The Independent calls for a general election
It is a simple and fundamental principle that government derives its democratic legitimacy from the people. The future of the country should not be decided by conspiracies and coups in Westminster. must be decided by the people in a general election. And for this reason, The Independent is calling for an election. Have your say and sign our petition by clicking here
