TORIES attending conference this year were spared the terror of a mass demonstration outside their ring of steel — but there were still plenty of activists putting the boot in.

Hundreds turned out to the Hard Up festival at Victoria Square bringing music, a fete, a funfair and other activities to highlight the cost-of-living crisis affecting ordinary working people.

Speakers included Chavs author Owen Jones and several union general secretaries including Unison’s Dave Prentis, PCS’s Mark Serwotka, FBU’s Matt Wrack and CWU’s Billy Hayes.

Palestinian activists were also seen shouting “murderers” outside the conference hall in response to government inaction over the recent Israeli assault on Gaza.

Other intrepid activists handed out free chocolate money to those approaching the International Convention Centre, where conference was held.

The hand-out highlighted the “trillion-dollar scandal” of dirty money, urging the government to force oil, gas and mining firms to publish what they pay to governments as well as clamp down on tax evaders.