‘Get the Tories out!’ - anti-austerity march held in Norwich city centre

Norwich South's newly-elected Labour MP addressed a city centre demonstration against austerity on Saturday.

The rally, organised by the Norfolk People's Assembly, was attended by Unison members, and pupils and parents from the Hewett School.

Held on Haymarket, it saw people carrying placards with slogans including 'End benefit sanctions now', 'Get the Tories out!', and 'No more austerity'.

Jack Brindelli, press secretary for the People's Assembly, said more than 200 people attended, and added: 'Obviously, in the aftermath of the election, it was easy for people to become depressed and inactive. This was first and foremost to get people up to a rally to show them that they do have that collective power that can hold a government to account – even a majority government.'

He said that local issues, such as the proposed conversion of the Hewett School into an academy, and the lack of wheelchair access at the disability assessment centre on Duke Street, were raised, as well as national issues.

Sgt Mark Shepherd, a public order tactical adviser for Norfolk police, tweeted that the event was peaceful, and there were no disorder.