Darlington cost-of-living crisis rally ends in march to MP's office

Roughly 120 people gathered on High Row to listen to speeches, air their own views and show support for the group that is saying “the Conservative Party is not listening to the views of ordinary people.”

The rally is part of a wider movement of protests and demonstrations being held across the country this week.

Toward the end of the rally, supporters marched to Peter Gibson MP’s office and the raucous chant of “Tories Tories Tories, out out out” could be heard across the town centre.

A mother and her children hold placards at the rally. Picture: AJA DODD (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

Read more: Rally 'against' the Tories to be held in Darlington as MP responds with scathing words

Coordinator of the Darlington People's Assembly, Ashley Blakey, said: “We’re watching as the rich get richer and cream off our working people. Why cut the taxes for the rich and take off ours? Universal Credit is getting cut again.

“Why put our vulnerable in further vulnerability? Enough is enough. I ask Liz Truss this, would you choose between eating and heating? We all know the answer to that. No.”

Ashley Blakey, coordinator of the Darlington People's Assembly. Picture: AJA DODD (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

The crowd at the rally. Picture: AJA DODD (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

All speeches made got a good reaction from the crowd but perhaps the most impactful speech came from lee Norman, branch secretary for ASLEF, Britain’s trade union for train drivers, who stressed that he was speaking today personally.

Many people made their own placards to bring to the rally. Picture: AJA DODD (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

Mr Norman said: “They (The Conservative Party) say what they think people want to hear but their actions are nothing.

“The only way we can win, the only way every worker can win, what every pensioner can win, and those unfortunate enough not able to work can win, is by getting rid of these crooks.”

A woman holds a sign reading: "I shouldn't have to choose between eating and heating". Picture: AJA DODD (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

Read more: Terminally ill man forced to give up home after being unable to cope with his bills

Some members and supporters of the Darlington People's Assembly. Picture: AJA DODD (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

Angela Templeton said: “I think it’s about time people got together.

“The inept Tories are just out for themselves and no one else.

“I think it’s time we had a workers’ party. Something that supports the average person.”

Angela Templeton. Picture: AJA DODD (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

Responding yesterday to the expected demo, MP Peter Gibson said: “I don’t know who the Darlington Peoples Assembly are or indeed which people of Darlington they are assembling.”

He added that the group seems “opposed to lots of things which is all very admirable, but meaningless.”

“The country faces challenges at this time as a result of the world energy markets and the last Labour government’s failure to invest in Nuclear energy.”

People expressed their views by writing 'tax the rich' and 'enough is enough' in chalk. Picture: AJA DODD (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

Read next:

• NI children could die from hypothermia amid cost-of-living crisis, rally told
• Full list of North East businesses that have closed due to cost of living crisis
• Durham and Darlington hospices face 'bleak' winter with bills rising by £1 million

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