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Manchester march: Large protest at Tory conference Manchester march: Large protest at Tory conference
(about 14 hours later)
Thousands of people are due to attend an anti-austerity protest near the Conservative Party's annual conference in Manchester. Thousands of people are attending an anti-austerity protest near the Conservative Party's annual conference in Manchester.
It is thought that up to 80,000 will attend, with a march due to take place on streets close to Manchester Central where the conference is being held. The TUC expects up to 80,000 to take part, with a march happening close to Manchester Central where the conference is being held.
Organisers the TUC said it would also highlight an "unfair" Trade Union Bill. Organisers said the rally is also to highlight an "unfair" Trade Union Bill.
The government said its long term economic plan was "turning the country around" after "difficult decisions".The government said its long term economic plan was "turning the country around" after "difficult decisions".
It added the proposed changes to strike legislation would protect the public from disruptive action.It added the proposed changes to strike legislation would protect the public from disruptive action.
The conference is due to get under way later, with 12,000 delegates expected.The conference is due to get under way later, with 12,000 delegates expected.
A so-called "ring of steel" has been built around the conference venue and the nearby Midland Hotel. Several road closures are in place.A so-called "ring of steel" has been built around the conference venue and the nearby Midland Hotel. Several road closures are in place.
'Gag unions''Gag unions'
The Trade Union Bill, which proposes higher voting thresholds for ballots, passed its first Commons hurdle last month despite fierce Labour criticism.The Trade Union Bill, which proposes higher voting thresholds for ballots, passed its first Commons hurdle last month despite fierce Labour criticism.
The bill, which would apply to unions in England, Wales and Scotland, will also:The bill, which would apply to unions in England, Wales and Scotland, will also:
Paul Novak, the assistant general secretary of the TUC, said: "The government is driving through tens of billions of pounds worth of cuts to public services right across the country and at the same time trying to gag the ability of unions to protest and try to defend services. Paul Novak, assistant general secretary of the TUC, said: "The government is driving through tens of billions of pounds worth of cuts to public services right across the country and at the same time trying to gag the ability of unions to protest and try to defend services.
"There are 6.5m working people in this country who are voluntarily members of unions."There are 6.5m working people in this country who are voluntarily members of unions.
"The government is trying to force through an anti-democratic bill that puts real limitations on the right to strike and people's right to protest. We think that's absolutely unfair.""The government is trying to force through an anti-democratic bill that puts real limitations on the right to strike and people's right to protest. We think that's absolutely unfair."
A spokesman for the Conservatives said: "More people are now also in work than ever before and the trade unions who represent a number of them do have a constructive role to play in representing their rights.A spokesman for the Conservatives said: "More people are now also in work than ever before and the trade unions who represent a number of them do have a constructive role to play in representing their rights.
"However, it is vital that these are balanced with the rights of businesses, who have a right to expect that they are not going to be disrupted at short notice by strikes organised by only a small number of union members.""However, it is vital that these are balanced with the rights of businesses, who have a right to expect that they are not going to be disrupted at short notice by strikes organised by only a small number of union members."
A 2013 protest in the city against austerity cuts and changes to the NHS attracted approximately 50,000 people. In an email to conference attendees, delegates were warned not to wear Conservative-branded badges and lanyards when walking around Manchester.
Asked if this was a "sad" state of affairs, Prime Minister David Cameron told BBC One's Sunday Politics: "No, not at all. I think all my party members will enjoy very much being in Manchester.
"There are a lot of demonstrations planned, and obviously people need to take care in respect of that, but people will be enjoying all that Manchester has to offer."
On Saturday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: "Ahead of Tory Conference I urge all activists to focus on policy & to take no part in personal attacks."
A two-day anti-austerity "protest rave" in Piccadilly Gardens was shut down by police officers on Sunday morning.