NO PETERLOO THIS TIME.

Manchester Cathedral was packed last night to hear Jeremy Corbyn speak and 7,000 people gathered outside to hear him on loud speakers. The last time a huge political gathering of this kind took place in Manchester it led to what became famous as “The Peterloo Massacre” which was much bigger and it was where Mounted State Troopers wielding sabers charged the crowd killing 18 and injuring 700 of the estimated 70,000 who were there to hear an MP known as “Orator Hunt” speak on behalf of parliamentary reform. Many of the crowd had not long returned as heroes of the battle of Waterloo hence the ironic name of Peterloo was adopted by the people. The great radical poet Shelley wrote about these events in his epic poem “The Mask of Anarchy” it is an inspiring tour de force and well worth reading it contains this famous verse which has inspired workers in  strife ever since.

Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number,
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you-
Ye are many - they are few."   

The people are stirring, the crowds are getting bigger, the Tory capitalist press are panicking as people flock in their thousands to Labour’s banner. Now is the time for everyone to play their part, Tories out! Crush capitalism!.