The first bedroom tax protest in Nottingham. 

Last Saturday (The 16th) saw Nottinghams first Bedroom Tax Protest in concordance with the National Campaign which had 55 cities across the UK out at the same time.  The miserable weather didn't seem to dampen the atmosphere or indeed turnout with around 300 people at its height and not really dipping below 250 throughout. A good number were from assorted parties and campaigns like the Greens or the Nottingham Pensioners Action Group (NPAG) but the majority were no more political than most people but are going to be hit hard by the proposed bedroom tax with around 5 and a half thousand liable to be hit in Nottingham (according to the Evening Post). We were graced by the 'human' face of the City Council: Graham Chapman.  Skulking round the edges of the protest he was confronted on several occasions by members of the public interested in their councils position. He informed us that (I'm paraphrasing here) 'the council was seeking to minimalise the numbers of people who could be at risk of eviction by helping measure and when possible reassigning a room from that of a bedroom to a boxroom'. When he pressed on whether the council would make a commitment to not evict those unable to pay as Brighton Council has pledged. Chapman said it was unlikely and that he hoped it wouldn't have to go so far. The possibility of a judicial review was also mentioned but given our councils record on standing up to central government when it counts I have little hope on that score. 

Therewere some enthusiastic speakers from the TUC and the Nottinghamshire Anti-Bedroom Taax Campaign, amongst others, who were met with riotous applause and cheers whilst distributing useful information. A public meeting was hosted by the TUC the following Tuesday with attendance at around 50-60. Nothing of substance was decided unfortunately but hopefully the follow-up meeting this Wednesday (The 27th) will yield some actual action.