04.04.1996

Won’t pay

About 1,500 people marched through Glasgow last Saturday on the Hands off Water demonstration against quangoisation and privatisation of water in Scotland.

Although there was some disappointment at the turnout, the mood was reminiscent of the poll tax movement. Protesters chanted that they would not pay the new water bills.

The main speaker was Arthur Scargill, who emphasised the important part defying and breaking the law has played in the history of the working class.

The campaign to boycott the bills is positive, but the fact that the amount owed for water will form part of council tax bills makes non-payment a complex procedure.

Nancy Morelli