Despite a real pounding in the local election and the AV Referendum, Vince Cable was still in a celebratory mood as he came to Portsmouth to open the new ferry port. The Minister had come to enjoy a champagne breakfast with the City’s Mayor, local MP Mike Hancock and other Business officials.
Over 30 local trade unionists from UNITE, UNISON, port workers from RMT and local students made sure he got a warm reception. Chants of “Vince Cable, get out” and “Worker’s rights won’t be denied, we will not be cable-tied” echoed through the port as the Minister quaffed expensive bubbly. The view of many there was that we should join Vince and grab a glass for ourselves. After all we are all in this together. However police took a dim view of Port workers going into their place of work to join him.
Cable had promised to come address the protesters but after seeing the angry mood of local NHS and Council workers, who all face massive cuts and over 500 job losses, he decided to duck out the back door and run away.
Massive local news coverage caught the event and it was a big success for the Portsmouth anti-cuts movement, building on from some big marches and local support for striking UCU members.
It might be a while before another minister visits the city, because Cable was shown that the ConDems are not welcome here!
May 10th, 2012 → 3:47 pm
[...] campaigners were looking forward to give Mr. Lansley a similar welcome to that David Willetts and Vince Cable had received on their visits to the [...]