Thousands gather to protest Tory Party conference in Manchester | UK News

Demonstrators have gathered in protest outside the Conservative Party’s annual conference. 

Photos and footage from Manchester city centre, specifically the areas surrounding the Manchester Central convention conference, show attendees holding placards at what’s been dubbed ‘The People’s Assembly’ march by organisers. 

The event, in protest against 13 years of Conservative rule, is being held in tandem with the annual Tory party conference, due to run until Wednesday. 

Demonstrators are holding signs reading ‘Free the North’, ‘Sunak is a Climate Criminal’ and ‘Defend the Right to Strike’, reflecting just some of what attendees maintain are a litany of mounting concerns over the government’s record and current performance. 

The march was due to take place along Oxford Road, turning left onto Chepstow Street before heading onto Great Bridgewater Street. 

It will then proceed from Briton’s Protection onto the A5013, following on to Whitworth Street West and Deansgate before Liverpool Road, Duke Street and Rice Street, ending at Castlefield Bowl. 

Activists, speakers and other actors from a variety of different organisations, including multiple trade union movements, are due to attend.

Greater Manchester Police says security preparations for the event have been underway for months. 

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said: ‘GMP and partners are highly experienced in running the large-scale security operations required to manage events such as this and have hosted the Conservative Party Conference many times over the years to great success.

‘GMP will always seek to facilitate the right to peacefully protest, we will not stand for any incidents of intimidation or abuse, and officers will take swift, appropriate action against anyone breaking the law.’

It’s anticipated Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will use his platform to champion the party’s pro-car agenda, amid mounting criticism of prospective plans to axe the remaining northern leg of the controversial HS2 high-speed rail project. 

The event also comes ahead of a week of strikes and other protests, with health and rail services expected to be especially affected as unions continue to vent their anger toward the ruling party.

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