Press conference: Ken Loach in Soho squat to launch Left Unity manifesto

Ken Loach, director of Cathy Come Home, will launch Left Unity’s 2015 manifesto in a Soho squat on Tuesday.

Start: 12noon, Tuesday 31st March
Address: Ingestre Court, Ingestre Place, Soho, London W1F 0JL

The venue has been chosen to highlight the number of large buildings sitting empty in London at a time when homelessness is increasing.

Ken Loach, who co-founded the new left wing party, will be joined by Left Unity principal speaker Felicity Dowling and national secretary Kate Hudson.

Felicity Dowling, who is also standing as a Left Unity general election candidate in Ellesmere Port and Neston, said:

“This will be a manifesto launch with a difference. Instead of using a glitzy venue like the main parties we want to highlight the growing crisis of homelessness.

“Rents are rocketing and good housing getting further out of reach for so many – yet there are 700,000 empty buildings in Britain that could be brought back into use.

“It’s just not right that so much space is wasted while people are sleeping on the streets.”

Paul from Love Activists London, who are occupying the building and 17 others in London so far, said:

“Our aim is to occupy prominent buildings in the central London area, to highlight the issues of homelessness, gentrification and capitalism.

“The majority of Love Activists London are homeless ourselves, and we frequently cook vegan food and take it out to those sleeping rough on the street.”

Interviews are available.

Please register your attendance at the press conference by emailing press@leftunity.org