A desperate Conservative Party launched a vicious attack on Labour and the tens of thousands who have protested against its October 4-7 conference in Manchester — highlighting the government's fear of growing mass opposition.
Wales Secretary Stephen Crabb accused protesters of spouting “venom and bile” because they dared to speak out against Tory cuts and oppose privatisation of public services and attacks on workers' rights.
Crabb accused Labour of “abandoning the working class” — while his government forces through repressive new legislation which will virtually outlaw workers' right to strike.
Pouring scorn on the thousands who mounted daily protests during the conference, he said: “Whatever venom and bile we have seen outside the entrance of this conference venue this week, it has nothing whatsoever to do with the needs, the aspirations and the ambitions of workers and their families.”
But Morning Star campaigns manager Steve Sweeney, one of the organisers of the People's Assembly week of action against the Tories in Manchester, said: “Mr Crabb's speech to conference shows that the Tories have been rattled by the demonstrations and protests that have taken place this week.”
Sweeney said he met victims of Tory policies, including disabled people, young people and unwell people who have been unable to get treatment because of Tory NHS closures.
“They are frightened of the movement that has been built by the Corbyn campaign and they are frightened they now have to face a Labour leader who opposes austerity and has given a voice to those who have been abandoned by the political elite for so long.
“They fear that working-class people are organising and fighting back against their politics.” He added that this “offensive idiot” shows the Conservative Party in panic.
[Abridged from Morning Star.]
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