Demonstrators took to the streets of Croydon on Saturday to continue the protest against directly elected mayor Jason Perry’s plans to hike the council tax by 15%. Public sector union the GMB called on their members working at Croydon Council to join a march from Mayday University Hospital to the steps of the Town Hall in Katharine Street.

The protesters were supported by marchers from community groups as well as Labour and Green Party councillors opposed to the 15% increase.

At the rally at Croydon Town Hall a range of local speakers included Councillor Stuart King, the leader of Croydon Council’s Labour group of councillors, Councillor Callton Young, shadow cabinet member for Finance as well as GMB Union members from Croydon Council.

Addressing the crowd from the Town Hall steps Stuart King was heavily critical of Jason Perry’s plan for the increase in council tax. ‘Jason Perry is making Croydon residents pay for the mistakes of his government. We will be paying more for less services, all I can say to this is no, no, no’

The CRO spoke to President of Croydon Trades Council, Kevin Smith who was present at the march with colleagues from the Trades Council. He said ‘We are here today to support trade union colleagues who are really up against it. Not only have their wages not kept up with inflation for over a decade, but also they will now have a huge increase in their council tax to add to all the other increases coming their way because of the cost of living crisis.

He continued ‘It was good to see all sorts of people here today with representations from opposition members of the council, community groups as well as us trade unionists. The atmosphere was great, we got lots of good reaction waves from the public and car horns blasting in support. We even had a few people join the march. We are looking forward to a great turnout for the lobby of councillors at the Town Hall on Wednesday 8th March at 6pm’.