New Labour Democracy - the needs of the few

Over 10,000 people demonstrating against the position of 300 or so more powerful people about a subject that tens of millions of people are not particularly interested in.

I hear reports that at least five protesters have got into the chambers of the house of commons and that all proceedings have been halted. It seems that at least one of the protesters appeared from an entrance behind the speakers chair which is an astonishing thing to happen. This is just a wild guess but I find it hard to believe that such a thing can happen without at the very least extensive knowledge of the inside layout and workings of the house of commons and at most without specific help from someone on the inside. Obviously just a guess mind.

The scene inside the house was, apparently, astonishing with the protesters attempting to speak to an MP whilst being wrestled by Labour MPs and some bloke in tights.

There have also been scenes of some violence outside the house with, reportedly, some heavy handed tactics by the police. Many protesters have been injured though the extent of those injuries are not yet known.

A Pandora’s box has been opened, it would seem.

These intrusions into the house are another major blow to the security services and that coupled with the reported violence will leave many questions to be answered by an already troubled service.

Report on the commons protest here:

Parliament has been suspended after five protesters got into the Commons chamber while MPs debated whether to ban hunting with dogs.

Four of the men ran out from behind the speaker's chair. Another wrestled past a doorkeeper from a different entrance.

They were chased by officials but one harangued minister Alun Michael.

Police in riot gear have also been sent into parliament square - expect the usual results.

A rather stale release (a bit of background) from the Countryside Alliance on the demonstration can be found here:

Mr Hart's [Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance] comments followed an extraordinary and inflammatory admission by Alun Michael [junior Labour minister] this morning on BBC Radio 4 'Today' , when questioned by presenter John Hunmphrys, when the minister effectively conceded that his wrecked bill's return, and its proposed 2-year delay to a fox-hunting ban, were for Labour party management reasons rather than animal welfare.

Apparently the five protesters that made their way into the commons were not the only ones. I hear reports that 'several more' were stopped in the corridors of the house. This is a massive breach of security.

Some live quotes from the radio:

One of the protesters inside the house said You've mucked up pensions, you've mucked up everything.

Outside: Come on lads - we need to open a second front.

Scotland yard (from memory): A minority of the crowd rushed the perimeter of the police security cordon outside the house and missiles were thrown. Control has been regained and the majority of the crowd are protesting peacefully.

Woman on the TV, bloody faced: I wasn't even demonstrating! A policeman did this to me!

Presenter: This will go down as the day that the pro-hunt lobby unsheathed its claws.

MP (library pictures I believe): There are those that do not understand that the numbers are against them. They should get on with the job and tell the House of Lords to go to hell.

Radio: Apparently the vote to ban fox hunting is taking place now.

Results in: For a ban on fox hunting: 356; against 166.

Live interviewer at the protest to, I believe, Victoria Jonston (random protester): You've heard the vote. Are you prepared to break the law?

VJ: Yes; I'm prepared to do anything.

Posted by John at September 15, 2004 03:59 PM | TrackBack