Paignton does not often see political activity or protests. So when Torbay Fightback activists gathered in Paignton town centre
on what was a chilly Saturday afternoon, to campaign against the Bedroom Tax
and privatisation of the NHS, we were unsure how our presence would be felt.
However our uncertainty was dismissed within moments of arriving. Upon spotting the NHS material, members of the public flocked
around the stall before Fightback activists had an opportunity to get all their
material and banners in place. This trend was to continue as people queued to
add their names to the list of signatures. In little more than an hour all petition forms
had been filled and hundreds of Torbay Fightback leaflets, including the new
Youth Fightback flyer had been distributed. Even then, more people had been
directed to the stall by their friends and family.
During our short time in the town centre, the public came
to the stall not only to register their support, but in some cases voicing issues
that affected them. People came forward with details of how they are being
hounded by ATOS and of how the new Bedroom Tax will cut their already meagre
incomes. They told how the NHS had saved them and how we must fight to protect
it at all costs. Many people also commented on how the so called opposition
parties in Torbay were not prepared to be in the streets and talking to the
public on a cold afternoon. 
A successful afternoon for Fightback, but more importantly a
statement made that despite government pressure, the people are firmly opposed
to social cleansing policies such as the Bedroom Tax and the loss of our precious
NHS to privatisation.
A short planning meeting followed the stall activity. Plans
for a Fightback stall outside Torquay Job Centre, plus a Workfare protest and
May Day event were discussed, details of which shall appear on this site as
well as our facebook and twitter feeds in the near future.
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