A massive protest swept through central London on Saturday, as thousands of people marched against the UK government’s increasing militarization, which they claim comes at the expense of public welfare. The demonstration, organized by the People’s Assembly, began at Portland Place and moved toward Whitehall, with participants chanting and holding placards that read “Tax the Rich,” “Nurses Not Nukes,” and “Welfare Not Warfare.” The rally brought together trade unionists, campaigners, and activists from across the country, all united under the slogan “No to Austerity 2.0,” as they called on the Labour government to abandon its current fiscal policies.
The government’s decision to cut support services while escalating defense spending has been met with widespread criticism. A spokesperson for the People’s Assembly emphasized that “scrapping winter fuel payments, keeping the Tory two-child benefit cap, cutting disability support, and slashing foreign aid—while boosting defense spending—are not ‘tough choices,’ they are political choices.” Demonstrators also condemned Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s rhetoric, accusing him of using language that prioritizes conflict over criticism of his economic agenda. One campaign leaflet pointed out that his “war-mongering talk of war-readiness and a new era of threat are a cynical attempt to deflect any criticisms of his policy of cuts and austerity.”
The protest came just days after Labour leader Keir Starmer unveiled the Strategic Defense Review, which commits to increasing military spending to 3% of the UK’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The plan includes expanded production of warplanes, long-range missiles, and the country’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet. Defense Secretary John Healey stated that the UK is “sending a message to Moscow” by allocating billions of pounds for new munitions factories and long-range strike capabilities. Additionally, London has pledged to deliver 100,000 drones to Ukraine by April 2026, with £350 million from a wider £4.5 billion Ukraine support package set to be used for new drone shipments.
Speakers at the rally emphasized the need for the government to prioritize the welfare of its citizens over military interests. Martin Cavanagh, President of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), said, “We will not and never will accept a government that is more interested in arms sales than in looking after the poor in its own country.” Angela Grant, President of the DWP group, highlighted the dire consequences of the government’s policies, stating that “people are dying because they do not have food in their bellies,” while military budgets rise and the National Health Service (NHS) remains underfunded. As the UK government continues to face criticism for its economic and defense policies, the voices of those marching through London on Saturday served as a powerful reminder of the need for a more balanced approach to public spending.
