A RALLY took place yesterday evening with union leaders and MPs addressing activists and protesters in Brighton.
Jo Grady and Janet Farrar from the University and College Union were joined by Brighton MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle at the event for the Enough is Enough campaign.
The South East director for the Acorn union Sophia Rose also spoke, as well as representatives of the British Medical Association and East Brighton Food Co-operative.
RMT head Mick Lynch was among those set to speak but was unable to attend due to train delays.
The CWU general secretary Dave Ward had also been advertised to speak but was not in attendance.
The campaign, founded by trade unions and community organisations, says “the cost of living crisis has gone too far”.
Hundreds gathered at the Brighton Dome from 7pm for the event which calls for five demands to be met by central government:
1. A real pay rise
“A £15 an hour minimum wage, a real public sector pay rise, and an inflation busting-rise in pensions and benefits.”
2. Slash energy bills
“Cancel the October price hike and return to the significantly lower pre-April energy price cap.”
3. End food poverty
“Enshrine the Right to Food in law and put this into practice by introducing universal free school meals, community kitchens, and reinstating the £20-a-week Universal Credit uplift.”
4. Decent homes for all
“Cap rents, build 100,000+ council homes a year, insulate homes and introduce a charter for renters’ rights.
“Limit the number of holiday homes in any area, limit AirBnBs and ensure they are taxed properly.”
5. Tax the rich
“Make the rich pay their fair share by raising taxes on the wealthiest and the profits of big businesses. Crack down on tax avoidance and evasion.
“And alongside that, we should be cutting the tax burden on working people, starting by reversing the recent hike to National Insurance.”
The campaign combines several issues facing people in the UK right now by bringing together the different unions.
Almost every seat was filled on the ground floor of the theatre and each speaker was met with cheers and applause from the crowds.
Chris Webb, Communication Workers Union head of communications hosted the event, he began by saying that “you can feel the appetite for change” in the current climate.
Each speaker gave impassioned speeches detailing the need for change and why it is important at this time.
Ms Rose said: “Our members have to choose between heating and eating. We can’t go on like this, it’s a disgrace.
“Are we ready to get organised and say enough is enough?”
Labour MP for Kemptown Lloyd Russell Moyle spoke at length about the history of the Dome stating “this hall is the place where Suffragettes would rally to say enough is enough”.
He added: “This is a choice, it is a political choice of the Conservative party and we must say no more.”
Mr Russell-Moyle was met with a standing ovation as he finished his powerful monologue.
Jo Grady, the UCU general secretary, began her speech by saying she was “proud to be in a city that has rejected the Tories”.
“I really feel like a moment is happening in this country,” she said.
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