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DUP/Tory pact: Mass protest to be held in London on Saturday

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell is to address a mass protest against the Tory/DUP pact in London on Saturday. Picture by Daniel Leal-Olivas, Press Association
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell is to address a mass protest against the Tory/DUP pact in London on Saturday. Picture by Daniel Leal-Olivas, Press Association

A MASS protest against the DUP/Tory 'coalition of chaos' is to be held in London on Saturday.

Organised by anti-austerity campaign group The People's Assembly, it is supported by all the major trade unions including Unite, Unison and GMB.

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, who called for a million people to march against the Tories, will address the demonstration in Parliament Square.

Organisers have described the protest as a "carnival of resistance" against the Conservative Party and DUP.

The event will also include live music performances from artists including DJ Shy FX and Wolf Alice.

A minute's silence will be held for the victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy followed by a minute's applause for the emergency workers who responded.

Sam Fairbairn, National Secretary of the People's Assembly, said: "Theresa May can find an extra £1 billion for the DUP but can't find the money to properly fund our NHS, or for decent housing, education and secure jobs for the rest of us".

Mr McDonnell claimed the public had "lost trust" in British Prime Minister Theresa May and the Tories.

"People are fed up with a pay freeze, poverty wages, an NHS in crisis, being shackled with lifelong debt and no secure home," he said.

"The Tories had their chance and they've failed. It's up to everyone of us to make sure they step aside so we can have a Government that cares for the many not the few."

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union are being urged to take part in the demonstration.

General secretary Mick Cash said at the union's annual conference it was "essential" members took to the streets.

"The mood in the country has clearly changed since the Tories called the General Election, lost their majority and then bought the support of the DUP," he said.

"They are desperately clinging to power but people are fed up with cuts, austerity and privatised greed and want a Labour government with a programme dedicated to the many and not the few."