If the ConDem coalition thought it was going to push through its austerity measures without protest from the hoi polloi it’s now had its inevitable rude awakening. Yesterday’s protests in London have, of course, been roundly condemned by government and media alike – the demonstrators variously dismissed as violent, vandalistic thugs. Never mind that police once again resorted to kettling, dragging students from the streets, charging with horses and wielding battons. Casualties are high – 38 demonstrators and 10 Occifers have suffered injuries – and a 20 year old student has undergone a three hour operation to treat bleeding on the brain after taking a truncheon to the head. Another London demo and very nearly another dead man.
Elsewhere, in an extaordinary display of nonchalance, police thought it wise for the Royal limo carrying Charles and Camilla to swan through central London as fires burned all around. Not surprisingly the crowd were non-too imnpressed and started hurling anything that came to head or hand. Footage of the year has to be seeing a startled Charles and Camilla cowering in the back of a limo as someone explains to the Duchess that she’s being attacked and a bloke reapeatedly screams ‘off with their heads’.
Priceless.