Blair "Man of the People"

The world's full of strange coincidences. Whod've thought the weekend I decided to go back to Nottingham would be the same one our Glorious Leader (i.e. Tony Blair) chose to grace the city with his presence? You'd almost think I planned it that way.

There was a lively and numerous demonstration - attracting perhaps 100 participants - which was particularly impressive given that the whole thing had been organised with only 24 hours notice. Many of the protesters were there to express their opposition to the occupation of Iraq (the guys from Nottingham Stop the War had been key organisers along with students and the ever reliable Lenton Anarchist Forum), but anger was also expressed about Blair's proposals for the expansion of nuclear power which we understood, from the Independent, was the reason for his visit, although subsequent reports suggest that the focus of the event (a Labour Party "National Policy Forum") was education and the White Paper.

The bulk of the demonstrators managed to position themselves just outside the East Midlands Conference Centre on the University of Nottingham's campus where the demonstrationwas taking place, forcing Blair to go in by the back route. I, unfortunately, ended up in the "designated protest area," placed somewhat further back in order that we didn't get close enough to actually influence anything. As such I missed most of the action. Fortunately, Indymedia (whence the picture above originates) has the craic and I'm sure Dan who also turned up (and was kind enough to put me up for the duration of my stay) might have a thing or two to say about the day. I've got a few photos of my own which I may post over the coming days if any of them are any good.