Fightback revive Bay's May Day rally

Around 30 people gathered in the English Riviera sunshine on May 5^th for the first International Workers day event in Torbay for many years.

Representatives had been invited from a number of Trade Unions and political parties of the left, but only official representatives from the Unite community branch, Torbay Trades Council and the Communist Party of Britain attended. Apologies were received from CND and Exeter Left Unity, Sean Brogan of the Socialist Party and Lynton North of Green Left. Others spoke in an individual capacity.

The event took the form of an ‘Occupy’ style open discussion, with everyone given the opportunity to say a few words. People spoke about the Bedroom Tax, cutting Civil List payments, the Living Wage, unemployment, privatisation and the Bedroom Tax,  with some speaking on personal experiences. However the overall theme was of unity in the face of savage attacks by the ConDems on ordinary people.

The event ended with live music in the form of protest songs from up and coming musician Steven Moonfox Gladwyn and friends.

The format, although totally different from other May Day rallies, was more people orientated and it seemed to work. Torbay Fightback hope to be involved in organising another rally next year.

People gathering at the first International Workers Day event in Torbay for many years

All those present had an opportunity to speak

  

Tim Gulliver, Executive Committee member of the Communist Party of Britain spoke at the rally

 

Unison member and secretary of Torbay & District Anti Cuts Alliance, Michelle Louise Goodman

Anarchist, Anonymous and Communist Party flags at the rally

The Morning Star on sale

Music to end the rally

 

Support Torbay's first International Workers Day event on May 5th

Torbay is the third largest conurbation in Devon. It has high rates of unemployment, low wages and increasing levels of poverty. But despite these factors Torbay and South Devon as a whole is a bit of a political backwater, its population largely content to stick their heads in the sand and ignore the huge inequality and unfairness instead of voicing their frustrations.

In November 2011 the people of the area did raise their heads briefly when more than one thousand Trade Unionists and supporters marched through Torquay. Since then, there has been little in the way of public opposition to the coalition’s austerity measures, though Torbay Fightback have been quite active recently. This is one of the reasons why Torbay Fightback is keen to sow the seeds for an annual International Workers Day event in the Bay, and our intention is that Sunday May 5^th can sow those very seeds.

One thing we want to make absolutely clear is that this is not just a Torbay Fightback activity. It’s an activity for all workers, Trade Unionists, the unemployed, low waged, pensioners, peace campaigners, environmentalists, in fact anyone that is concerned about the ConDem coalition’s austerity measures is more than welcome to come along and have a say, or just listen to others. It is a real grass roots ‘people’ event.

Admittedly with Torbay not being a hotbed of political activity we do not envisage a large turnout. But what we want to see following this event is politically active people in South Devon’s labour movement sitting down and planning something for next year. As previously mentioned, Torbay is the third largest conurbation in the county and its social ingredients of low wages, unemployment and poverty means it should have an event to mark International Workers Day to highlight these issues and build solidarity in opposing them. This can no longer be ignored by Torbay’s labour movement.

The venue for what we believe will be Torbay’s first ever International Workers Day event is the former Hi-Flyer balloon site on Torquay Seafront, at 1.00p.m on Sunday 5^th May.

Speakers have been invited from various Trade Unions, Torbay Trades Council and others in the labour and peace movements, but there will be an ‘open mic’ to have your say. We even welcome people wishing to sing the odd protest song.

Come and show solidarity with your fellow workers by being part of this event.

If you require more details please contact torbayfightback@activist.com