Thousands of off-duty police officers took to the streets in London yesterday in a rare display of anger against austerity, joining a protest by public sector workers including immigration officials, healthcare workers and prison officers.
Unions predicted some 400,000 public sector workers would walk out, a smaller protest than in November when Britain saw the biggest strike in years, but still a significant show of discontent just after the government had taken a drubbing at local elections.
The government said only about 150,000 had taken part, and dismissed the action as “futile”. Cabinet office minister Francis Maude said public services were mainly unaffected. However, the sight of some 30,000 police officers marching will be embarrassing for the Conservatives, who pride themselves on being the party of law and order. – (Reuters)