Union battle cry: Hands off Hinchingbrooke!

PROTESTORS campaigning against the proposed privatisation of Hinchingbrooke Hospital took to the streets of Huntingdon on Saturday.

PROTESTORS campaigning against the proposed privatisation of Hinchingbrooke Hospital took to the streets of Huntingdon on Saturday.

More than a hundred people, including angry union members and local residents, took part in a rally and protest march, organised by the Huntingdon and St Neots Trades Union Council.

Steve Sweeney, secretary of the local TUC, said: “Many of you may have been here before, when Hinchingbrooke was first threatened with closure. We march again now to save the NHS. Make no mistake what this is about. This process sets a dangerous precedent; Hinchingbrooke could be the first hospital handed to the private sector and is a testing ground for further privatisations.

“The coalition government has clearly set out its plans and public services are under attack. This is about the deliberate break-up of the NHS.”

Campaigners gathered in Huntingdon’s Riverside Park on Saturday afternoon, before marching along the ring road, High Street and Grammar School Walk to the Town Park, where Mr Sweeney introduced a host of speakers, including Dr John Lister, from Health Emergency, Martin Booth, chairman of the Cambridgeshire health branch of Unison, Professor Wendy Savage from Keep the NHS Public, and independent St Ives town councillor Jonathan Salt.