The list of speakers for the rally in York on Saturday 8th March has now been confirmed, organised to coincide with the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference. There’s a good mix of national and local  speakers drawing on the different themes of the day and calling for a Better Way than the austerity policies of the Coalition government.

Pam Johnson, Yorkshire and the Humber TUC Vice Chair, has kindly agreed to MC the event. Given that the demo takes place on International Women’s Day it’s fitting that we have a great set of women speakers – full details here: http://abetterwaydemo.org/2014/02/13/speakers-confirmed/ There will be 1 or 2 more additions in the coming days.

We also have leaflets and posters promoting the event. If you would like to place a free order then please email Y&HRegSec@tuc.org.uk with the name, address and quantities you require. You can also download them from www.abetterwaydemo.org  and an electronic copy is also attached.

To make the demo a safe and smooth event we still need more stewards. Please email BAdams@tuc.org.uk with names of volunteers and we will arrange for briefing details.

The event website is available at www.abetterwaydemo.org and the finalised route will be uploaded shortly and other information you may find useful. For those on twitter our address is @yorkprotest8mar and for those on facebook you can find us here http://tinyurl.com/n9v2cyu

As a reminder:

11.00am Meet at Clifford’s Tower, Tower St, York, YO7 9SA. We’re also collecting food for local food banks and homeless groups so please bring dried, tins and packets of food if you can.

11.30am Demonstration begins. The designated route takes us directly past the Barbican Centre where the Lib Dem conference is held, into the city centre before returning to Clifford’s Tower for a rally. Check www.abetterwaydemo.org for route information.

12.30pm Rally. Speakers include: Kay Carberry (Assistant General Secretary of the TUC), Kate Fox (poet, comedian & writer), Fran Heathcote (PCS union DWP Group President), Sue Marsh (disability campaigner & blogger), Liz Mawson (NHS worker), Megan Ollerhead (Student at University of York), Nikki Sharpe (Sheffield City Councillor)

We are prioritising five issues focusing on the positive alternatives and encouraging demonstrators to adopt a colour for the day to highlight why they’re marching. This could be reflected in an item of clothing or the colour of a placard or banner.

The themes are:

Jobs and fair pay

Tax justice

Industrial growth

NHS, public services & social security

Young people and the future

To confirm that you are attending and to help spread the word, please click here: http://abetterwaydemo.org/2014/01/28/pledge-to-join-the-better-way-demo-at-the-lib-dem-spring-conference/

Many thanks for all your support so far and please forward this email to your contacts and networks.

Download the flyer here: A5 2 page leaflet LO