In Pictures: "Democracy Village" In Parliament Square

Dean Nicholas
By Dean Nicholas Last edited 173 months ago

Last Updated 20 May 2010

In Pictures: "Democracy Village" In Parliament Square
Winston and the dragon. Photo / Sabine Thole
Winston and the dragon. Photo / Sabine Thole
Brian Haw: not happy with his new neighbours. Photo / Anthony White
Brian Haw: not happy with his new neighbours. Photo / Anthony White
Photo / wobblyturkey
Photo / wobblyturkey
Photo / Simon-K
Photo / Simon-K
Photo / Simon-K
Photo / Simon-K
Photo / Simon-K
Photo / Simon-K
Photo / Simon Wicks
Photo / Simon Wicks

Since May Day and the thrilling election denouement almost two weeks ago, a peaceful protest camp has taken over Parliament Square, offering a rude reminder to new ministers of quite how grubby the great unwashed can be.

Last year, the Tories claimed that, once in government, they'd do everything in their power to remove Brian Haw, so this growing army of acolytes will have come as a surprise. However, Mr. Haw himself is unimpressed: speaking to the BBC, he described the camp as "circus tents" and "paraphernalia".

Campers hope to cling onto their patch for a long time, but they may not be successful: the GLA, which owns the site, wants them all gone ahead of next week's Queen's Speech, lest the nose of Her Maj become wrinkled upon seeing the spectacle of her subjects sprawled out in front of the Commons.