The People's Assembly
After the financial crisis of 2008, a period of the economic recession began in the United Kingdom. The first austerity measures were introduced in late 2008 and then popularised by David Cameron and the newly elected Conservative government, in 2010. Chancellor George Osbourne identified goals to be achieved within a five-year forecast. These were a combination of public spending reductions and tax increases amounting to £110 billion, by the end of the forecast period, 2015–16.
The reductions would hit the nation's most impoverished the hardest, from councils to the disabled, cuts were seen, and reactions were just a matter of time. Not long after one of the most significant movements were formed, The People's Assembly. The movement against austerity is a political initiative launched in the U.K. in 2013. It aims to challenge the arguments against austerity, that it sees as missing from British politics and to fight for all those people it sees as being hit by Government policies.
The movement campaigns against cuts and privatisation with trade unionists in a movement for social justice, by developing a strategy for resistance to mobilising millions of people against the government. The People's Assembly plays a crucial role in ensuring that the government faces a movement of opposition broad enough and powerful enough to generate successful co-ordinated action, including strike action. The photo series follows the national demonstrations which gathered hundreds of thousands of people, all marching under the same umbrella, to stop austerity measures on the poorest.
An anti-Conservative demonstrator awaits the start of the demonstration ahead of the Conservative party conference. The annual conference gives members, press and the public a chance to learn about the party's policies; these are usually met with demonstrations from opposing unions and movements. Manchester, UK 2019.
A demonstrator wearing an anonymous mask marches side by side with the MET police who are monitoring a large demonstration which was organised by The People's Assembly. The movement is a political initiative which aims to push the arguments against austerity within the United Kingdom. London, UK 2016.
The police attend to an anti-austerity protester who had stopped a tram from leaving St Peters Square after a demonstration which was organised by The People's Assembly. The movement is a political initiative which aims to push the arguments against austerity within the United Kingdom. Manchester, UK 2017.
The police attend to anti-austerity protesters who stopped a tram from leaving St Peters Square after a demonstration which was organised by The Peoples Assembly. The movement is a political initiative which aims to push the arguments against austerity within the United Kingdom. Manchester, UK 2017.
Over 75.000 people attended The People's Assembly demonstration during the Conservative party Conference. The annual conference gives members, press and the public a chance to learn about the party's policies; these are usually met with demonstrations from opposing unions and movements. Manchester, UK 2015.
A protester carrying a PA system addresses the crowd in Trafalgar Square during The Peoples Assembly demonstration. The movement is a political initiative which aims to push the arguments against austerity within the United Kingdom. London, UK 2016.
The Peoples Assembly movement gathered on Gower Street which saw Unions and anti-war movements in attendance. The march was organised to highlight the austerity measures implemented by the government. London, UK 2016.
Two demonstrators take a break after a demonstration organised by The Peoples Assembly. The movement is a political initiative which aims to push the arguments against austerity within the United Kingdom. Manchester, UK 2015.