Labour Party Conference Brighton: 30 September 2001

The Brighton march was called by Globalise Resistance, the Socialist Alliance and the Green Party as a protest against privatisation on the first day of Labour’s conference.

In August, it was revealed that an event at the conference was sponsored by MacDonald’s, and that Labour were selling off opportunities to advertise at the conference - companies could even pay to stick their logo on flower arrangements at dinner tables.

Following the events of 11 September, and the US government threat to go to war, the focus of the march inevitably changed - by 30 September it had become for the most part an anti-war protest. Other issues weren’t neglected, however - chants such as “welfare not warfare” and “Good for the rich - bad for the poor - we don’t want your bloody war” showed people made links between the war and other anti-capitalist issues.

On the day, coaches arrived in Brighton from all over the UK, and protesters included trade unionists, anti-capitalists, peace campaigners and others. Despite torrential rain, 6000 people marched to oppose George Bush, Tony Blair and their drive to war.