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McGuinness at Parliament to address austerity rally

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness speaks at the End Austerity Now rally in Parliament Square, London
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness speaks at the End Austerity Now rally in Parliament Square, London Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness speaks at the End Austerity Now rally in Parliament Square, London

WITH the Palace of Westminster providing the backdrop, Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness basked in the "warm welcome" of a huge crowd as he delivered a tub-thumping speech to a star-studded anti-austerity rally.

He told tens of thousands of protesters, whom he addressed along with singer Charlotte Church, comedian Russell Brand and trade union leaders, that the Conservative government has "no mandate for austerity" on either side of the Irish Sea.

Families, students and campaigners took part in the massive march in London on Saturday, which began in the heart of the financial district and snaked its way to Parliament.

Led by a brass band trio, they waved placards, blew whistles and chanted their opposition to the Conservative government and its plans for billions of pounds of cuts.

It was the biggest rally of its kind in Britain for several years.

A loud boo erupted as it passed Downing Street and a red flare was set off, filling part of Whitehall with thick scarlet smoke.

Protesters chanted their opposition to Prime Minister David Cameron and one waved a model of Margaret Thatcher's head on a stick.

"The Tories have no mandate for austerity in the north of Ireland. They stood in the elections and they were trounced in every constituency," Mr McGuinness said.

"But in Britain the Tories were elected on the lowest share of the vote ever for a Tory government - just 24 per cent of the electorate. 24 per cent is no mandate for austerity."

Afterwards he posed for pictures and tweeted: "Warmest thanks to the people of London for the very warm welcome during my speech at today's anti-austerity rally."

Charlotte Church described the idea that Britain needs austerity as "the big lie", saying: "What this country needs is economic stimulation - most economists around the world would say the same. We need to get the blood pumping."

The Welsh child star claimed the government will "sell off our schools and our hospitals, and once it is done, it will be very difficult to reverse".

"One aspect of this that really gets under my skin is that it's all wrapped up in a proud-to-be-British package," she said.

"I'm proud to be British because of our National Health Service, the welfare system and David Bowie. Not because of the Union jack."

Sian Bloor (45) a primary school teacher from Trafford, near Manchester, said cuts are having a huge impact on children, with teachers resorting to bringing in food and clothes for their pupils.

"They are being robbed of their childhood."

Organisers said an estimated 250,000 people marched in London, with demonstrations also held in Glasgow and Liverpool.

Brand was received with loud cheers as he took to the stage.

The 40-year-old, who had dismissed the idea of voting, said he felt "crushing disappointment on the morning after the election".

"Unlike many of you I felt personally to blame for it. I thought I'd broken the country," he said.

"Without a welfare state I wouldn't have been educated, without a welfare state I wouldn't have had anywhere to live, without a welfare state my mum would've died of cancer several times."