Protestors to gather in Birmingham at Conservative party conference
Thousands are expected as the backlash from the mini-budget continues.
Last updated 2nd Oct 2022
Thousands of protestors are expected to turn out in Birmingham today, as the Conservative party conference begins.
Organised by the People's Assembly, along with other groups joining forces, the rally begins in Victoria Square at 1pm.
The protest will then march to the International Convention Centre, where the conference is being held. There will be several speakers at the protest.
West Midlands Police announced that they have security plans in place for when the protest is taking place. Additional officers will be carrying out high visibility patrols around the ICC and armed officers will also be out on patrol during the conference.
Many taking part are protesting as part of the backlash from the recent mini-budget announcement by the Chancellor, in which Kwasi Kwarteng set out tax cuts and investment zones around the country. It's what the Government are calling their "Growth Plan".
Stuart Richardson is part of the Birmingham TUC and Stop the War Coalition. He's attending the protest and said: "Times are changing and I think this government is creaking badly having large demonstrations against them. There has to be a drastic change of course and we've got to stop this proposal.
"I think there will be a lot of angry and desperate people at the protest, as we're all in a desperate situation. There's a great fear of what is to come for the future."
However the Prime Minster and Chancellor have defended their plan to cut taxes calling it the "right plan" to get the economy moving despite chaos on the financial markets and fears of rocketing mortgage bills.
As well during a visit to an engine plant in Darlington, Kwasi Kwarteng said the package he announced in the Commons on Friday was "absolutely essential" if the economy was to generate the revenues needed to fund public services.
There will be road closures in the city whilst the event is taking place.
Cambridge Street (between Civic Close and Brindley Drive) and Bridge Street, Broad Street (between Gas Street and Paradise Circus) will also be closed until Thursday 6 October.
The Conservative Party Conference starts on October 2, until October 5 at the ICC in Birmingham.