by Nicky Dempsey
Thousands marched in London yesterday (Saturday May 18) in defence of the NHS.
The demo brought together unions, led by UNITE and the GMB, local campaign groups and activists. There were also banners from branches of other unions and from London constituency Labour parties.
The NHS regularly tops polls as the most popular institution in Britain – despite recent intense efforts by the government and its media supporters to denigrate it.
A number of local hospital closures have been threatened and have been met with large local campaigns against closures.
The campaign to defend the health service from further cuts and privatisation clearly has the potential to become a key element of the anti-austerity movement by bringing together all the unions affects, as well as the local campaigns and all those who want to maintain the NHS.