Conservative conference: Anti-Tory banner with hanging effigies condemned by Labour mayor
Protesters put up a sign reading ‘130,000 killed under Tory rule, time to level the playing field’ on a bridge
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The mayor of Greater Manchester has condemned an “unacceptable” banner adorned with hanging effigies that blames the Conservatives for 130,000 deaths.
As delegates arrived for the annual Tory conference in Manchester, protesters put up a banner from a bridge in Salford that read: “130,000 killed under Tory rule, time to level the playing field”.
Andy Burnham, a former Labour cabinet minister and now mayor of Manchester, said the sign was “completely unacceptable”.
Tory councillor Kerry Boyd spotted the offensive sign in Peel Park, on the river Irwell, as she went for a pre-conference run.
Ms Boyd, a councillor on Thanet District Council in Kent, said: “Never have I felt more apprehensive than seeing this in my morning run pre CPC19.
“Does this classify as death/terrorist threat? Utterly vile.”
The banner has now been removed by Salford Council and police are investigating the incident.
Health secretary Matt Hancock described the banner as “totally outrageous”.
The banner incident comes after delegates were greeted with a similar sign saying “Hang the Tories” when the conference was held in the northern city in 2017.
At the time, Conservative MP Michael Fabricant shared an image of the sign, which was also draped over a bridge and featured a hanging effigy.
He said: “What a charming welcome to Manchester and the Conservative Party conference. These aren’t protesters, they’re fascists.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments