ANARCHY IN THE UK - THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR SQUARE

In 2003, 500,000 people marched through London to protest against the Iraq War - Britain's largest post-war demonstration. There was no violence - and little or no impact on Government policy.

Spool back to the Poll Tax demonstration of 14 years earlier: the Battle of Trafalgar Square was violent, anarchic - and had a tangible effect on the political landscape, becoming, in the end, the first nail in Thatcher's coffin.

When our leaders aren't listening, what's our most effective form of protest? Violent disorder or a peaceful afternoon of placard-waving? If the Anti-War march had ended in a riot, might Blair have been forced to act? Despite our widely-admired and ancient parliamentary system, perhaps a good riot is a core-value of good old British democracy?

Events:
The Poll Tax Riots 1990.
NB: Riots all over the country including Norwich, where crusties stormed the Town Hall with a JCB!
Anti-Iraq March 2003