Meacher issues protest warning

PEOPLE will take to the streets in protest if drastic cuts continue after the general election, Oldham MP Michael Meacher has warned.

The Oldham West and Royton MP said it was remarkable Britain had not already seen the kind of open revolt witnessed in so many other countries.

He said: “Why haven’t there been riots about endless austerity? In Greece, Spain and Italy austerity led to resistance but where is the equivalent resistance in the UK? It may be about to happen.”

Mr Meacher said the public was fed up with cuts, which have not significantly reduced the deficit and will not tolerate cuts on similar scales for the next five years.

“A recent survey found most voters believe any remaining deficit reduction can be achieved by an efficient government cutting waste, without any serious impact on ordinary people and one in four think no further cuts are needed,” he said.

A recent Populus poll found the readiness among British voters to accept more austerity is evaporating.

Mr Meacher added: “Most don’t believe that more austerity and cuts will be needed in the next five years after the 2015 election which would present quite a headache for the Tories if they win the election, given Osborne’s declared determination to impose another £25bn cuts after 2015.”

Chancellor George Osborne will deliver his autumn statement on December 3.