Protest against huge cost of living rises

ABOUT 40 protesters demonstrated in Bangor against the rising cost of living.

The activists (pictured) held placards with slogans such as “Power to the People”, “Co-operation over Corporations” and “Heating is not a luxury”.

Some claim the UK Government should increase benefits such as Universal Credit, although the Westminster body did raise it by 3.1% on February 7. Critics say that’s still a cut in real terms after inflation.

Demonstrators huddled near Bangor Clock in bracing wintry winds to get their message across.

Michelle Francis, of Bangor Socialist Society, told our sister paper the Daily Post her group is calling on the UK Government to raise benefits.

She said: “I’m here today because I’m very much angry that the cost of living has been rising and rising. We need to be doing something about this.

“We need to rise up against the cost of living whether that be strengthening our communities or speaking to people and finding out what people need. That’s the only way we can create these bases in order to fight because at the end of the day we need to be fighting for a revolution.”

Ms Francis claims that the Conservative Government in Westminster

could “easily” freeze energy bills or increase benefits or the minimum wage. They could also invest in low carbon energy sources, she argued.

But she said: “Instead they are keeping the most vulnerable people in society choosing between starving and keeping themselves warm this winter.”

She said: “They do that because they need to keep people desperate for food and warmth because that’s the only way a capitalist system functions – unless there’s an expendable workforce ready to do as much work as possible.”

She suggested that “striking” over university fees or utility bills could be needed. But she added: “We’re not strong enough yet. All we can do right now is strengthen the community bonds so when we need to act in the future we can act hard.”

Another protester Edryd Gwyfyn said: “I was really pleased with the turn out. There were about 40 people there and we had some great speakers.”

Other protests took place in Manchester, London and Aberdeen with a demo due in Cardiff on February 19.

Ms Gwyfyn, a member of the Breakthrough Party of democratic socialists, added: “It was good to be part of a national movement of protests.”