HUNDREDS of Labour leftwingers resolved to up the ante against austerity on Saturday as experts warned that the party was in danger of pushing through “the same agenda” as Tories and Lib Dems.

The Left Platform conference at the defunct University of London Union was addressed by Labour MPs as well as academics, Scottish Labour leadership contender Neil Findlay and trade union activists.

University of Essex accounting professor Prem Sikka blasted the Con-Dem government for doling out “corporate welfare.”

And economist Michael Roberts urged Labour to reverse many cuts if it wins the next election.

Left MP John McDonnell, who organised the gathering, told the Morning Star: “This has been a successful demonstration that the left within the Labour Party has an alternative to austerity.

“These are the sort of policies that could save Labour at the next election.”