Hundreds of people marched through a town calling for a general election and showing solidarity with striking workers.

Protesters carried banners as they walked through Worthing, with representatives from the Unite union, Unison, the CWU and Extinction Rebellion taking part in the Worthing Solidarity Network rally.

One activist with Halloween face paint held a placard which read “In Tory Britain, every day is like Halloween”, while others held banners which said “tax big oil”, “climate justice now” and “refugees welcome”.

The Argus: One protester held a placard that said 'every day is like Halloween' under the Conservative governmentOne protester held a placard that said 'every day is like Halloween' under the Conservative government (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

Christina from the Worthing Soup Kitchen was among those to address the crowd at the protest on Saturday, October 29, with her voice breaking with emotion as she talked about the people that visit the food bank.

She said: “Poverty is a reality here in Worthing. It can be your next-door neighbour or your family member who hides it, as they’d rather you did not know, or the OAP whose family has gone and are afraid to cook because their bills are rising.

“I’m not a councillor, I’m not a politician or even a public speaker, but I am here speaking for those who do not have a voice - those who feel lonely, those who use our foodbank, and the homeless community.”

The Argus: Activists showed solidarity with striking postal workersActivists showed solidarity with striking postal workers (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

Dan Sartin, branch secretary of the Unison in West Sussex also spoke to criticise the government’s plans to cut public services to fill a budget black hole of several billion pounds.

He said: “Whilst we starve public services and starve our social care system of funding, we are waiting for tragedies to happen in our community.

“The Tories wrecked the economy - if you never tax the super-rich and the super-wealthy, you will never have an economy that works for ordinary people.”

He also criticised Labour leader Keir Starmer, claiming his priority is to “throw out socialists and trade unionists to avoid a democratic debate”.

He said: “He won the Labour Party leadership by saying he would be a more professional Corbyn, but we’ve ended up with a less effective Blair.”