Activists urge Labour not to mimic Tories

More than 300 union members and campaigners marched through Halifax town centre on the demonstration, organised by Northern Towns Against Cuts group.

And organisers said that their ranks grew to 600 for an inspiring rally in the grounds of Halifax's historic Piece Hall.

Regional trades union leaders and local campaigners addressed the rally.

GMB regional secretary and chairman of Yorkshire and Humber region TUC Tim Roache was cheered as he said: "The Parliamentary Labour Party needs to sit up and listen more.

"They will not get back to power and win back five million votes by just adopting the Tory agenda with the rough edges knocked off."

Halifax-based Calderdale District Council is controlled by a Labour-Lib Dem coalition.

Since 2010 the government has slashed the council's budget by £40m and the same amount will be lost by 2015.

The council has said it is trying to cushion the district's most vulnerable from the devastation of services - but is not taking a stand against the cuts, which by its own admission will have "a massive impact on services."

On Saturday dozens of youngsters carried home-made placards protesting at cuts planned for children's services, including youth clubs and nurseries.

15-year-old Lauren Robinson, making her first-ever public speech, said: "I go to Foundry Street youth club. Due to the government cuts we might be getting closed down."

She explained that the club nurtured the talents of local youngsters.

"I like going there because it is the only place I can show people what I'm good at. I would just like it to stay open," she said to cheers.

Other speakers included Halifax Labour MP Linda Riordan, rally organiser and divisional secretary of the National Union of Teachers Sue McMahon, NUT national treasurer Ian Murch and rank-and-file GMB activist James Stribley who has been at the forefront of a campaign to save Remploy factories in Yorkshire.

Mr Stribley, who is disabled, said to cheers: "The Tories have more faces than the town hall clock.

"They supported the Paralympics but they will not support disabled people."