Manchester Pride gets political!

All the major political parties were out in force at this weekend’s Manchester Pride, hoping to engage with LGB&T community in order to win the vital pink vote ahead of the general election.

Manchester Pride witnessed another first for David Cameron’s Conservatives’, as LGBTory - the Conservative-affiliated Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans group, was officially launched.

Despite Manchester being a Labour stronghold, LGBTory took to the streets of the city as part of the Pride Parade with their slogan “Conservative and Proud”. 

Matthew Sephton, newly-appointed Chairman of LGBTory said:  “The weekend was a tremendous success.  We were flying the flag for the modern Conservatives,  for the LGBT community and had lots of attention from the many thousands of people who lined the parade route through the city.

He added: “As a group we are looking forward to working with all LGBT groups and other Conservative groups to continue the change needed to stamp out homophobia at all levels of society, once and for all.”

Committed Green and gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell led the Pride parade, and the Green Party had representatives at the festival throughout the weekend.

The Greens were campaigning on LGB&T issues at home and abroad, including ensuring that commissioners and providers of public services meet the needs of the LGBTIQ community, and lobbying embassies and governments to eradicate homophobia, biphobia and transphobia across the continent.

The Labour Party also had a strong presence at the festival, taking part in the parade and asking Manchester Pride “What’s next for LGB&T rights?”

The LGBT Labour stall was emblazoned with suggestions from the LGB&T community about what matters most to them, gay marriage and equal rights for all appeared to be two of the most pressing issues.

Manchester Liberal Democrats and their LGB&T association Delga, were also out in full force over the Pride Bank Holiday weekend.

The Liberal Democrats took the opportunity to support party Leader Nick Clegg's recent statements on legalising same sex marriage, by launching the "Marriage without Boundaries" campaign.

John Leech - MP for Manchester Withington - launched the campaign at Manchester Pride alongside Manchester Group Leader Cllr Simon Ashley and Delga Chair Jen Yockney.

John Leech MP said:  "Manchester Pride is always one of the most colourful events in the City's diary. I look forward to launching the Delga campaign for equal legal rights to marry across Europe."

The presence of the four political parties highlighted that while Pride is a party, it has not forgotten its political roots.

Look out for updates on this story.