Day of Rage protests - live updates: Hundreds march on Downing Street demanding Theresa May quits
Follows slimmed-down Queen's Speech as Tories struggle to secure majority needed to pass legislation
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Hundreds of protesters are marching from west London to Parliament calling for Theresa May to resign over her handling of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
The demonstration comes as the Queen delivered the 2017 Queen's Speech, which Conservative sources have told The Independent could be Theresa May's first and last as Prime Minister.
As the Prime Minister struggles to cobble together a parliamentary majority, there was no mention of many of the Tories’ key manifesto pledges.
Plans to axe universal free school meals, scrap the triple lock on pensions and lift the ban on new grammar schools now all seem likely to be ditched.
Instead, the speech focused on Brexit, with the Prime Minister under mounting pressure to abandon her plans for a hard Brexit that could result in Britain leaving the EU without a trade deal.
Other measures include new laws to improve protections of domestic violence, protect private renters from irresponsible landlords, tackle extremist ideologies, and protect people's online data.
The Government will also act to reduce motor insurance premiums and lower energy prices. The National Living Wage will be raised.
The speech included no mention of Donald Trump's scheduled state visit, fuelling reports that it may not happen. The US President is reported to be concerned about public protests in the UK should he visit.
Queen's Speech could be delivered without majority as Theresa May's DUP talks falter
Thousands to march on Downing Street in bid to 'bring down' Theresa May's government
Queen's Speech scaled back as Theresa May's legislative agenda unveiled amid uncertainty
Tory-DUP deal thrown into fresh doubt as deputy PM Damian Green says agreement only a 'possibility'
The SNP says the Queen's Speech shows Theresa May is a "lame duck Prime Minister". Its Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, said: “Theresa May is in office, but clearly not in power – she is a lame duck Prime Minister leading a lame duck government.
“It took Theresa May just four days to ditch her first flagship manifesto policy, and it’s taken barely four weeks for her to ditch the rest.
“There was nothing in this programme to try and turn around the faltering economy, or how to support our under-pressure public services.
“Years of Tory infighting have ultimately led us to this moment – they have effectively brought government to a standstill, and working people across the country are paying the price."
Our reporter Maya Oppenheim is with protestors who are taking part in a "Day of Rage" and calling on Theresa May to step down over the Grenfell Tower fire.
Maya Oppenheim, who is at the "Day of Rage" protest, writes: "The mood is one of anger and grief, with many people here having lost loved ones in the fire. People are holding placards accusing the government of murder and are chanting 'What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now' and 'How are we going to get it? Fight for it'."
One of the protestors at the Day of Rage march tells Maya Oppenheim he has been deeply affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. Harris, 37, is of Somalian descent but was born in the UK and now lives in Chiswick, London. He said: I am here to support the people in Grenfell. I used to live in [nearby] Latimer Road. I'm devastated. I couldn't sleep for three nights and I still have trouble eating even though I'm fasting all day for Ramadan. It's affected me so much more than the terrorist attacks. My close friend's parents and brother are missing in the fire. I am a builder and I've been so shocked by the negligence."
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis has criticised the Queen’s Speech for lacking mention of “proper investment” in public services.
“Ministers are living in a parallel universe. Years of harsh spending cuts have caused huge damage to public services across the country,” he said.
“People have had enough of austerity, and want proper investment in schools, hospitals, police forces and local services. Yet there was none of this in the Queen’s Speech.
“Nor was there anything about pay. Nurses, teaching assistants, council workers, police support staff and other public sector employees should be rewarded for their hard work with a long overdue wage rise. The pay cap has left them extremely hard up and must go.”
Meanwhile, at the Day of Rage protest, our reporter says there are around 800 demonstrators, up from earlier in the day. The intense heat is being partly blamed on a lower-than-expected turnout, with temperatures expected to peak at around 34 degrees celcius this afternoon. The fact that the march is taking place on a weekday is also likely to have limited numbers.
More from Maya Oppenheim, who is with the protesters as they near Westminster:
A mixed crowd of demonstrators are marching past Hyde Park with police vans flanked behind them. Walking in the blistering heat, they are shouting "justice for Grenfell" as loudly as their parched mouths can muster.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments