• Analysis: We need strong leadership to stop the violence
• March: Anarchists are students, NHS staff and union members
• Commentary: Business tired of bearing brunt of public disorder

Reader views (90)

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Dave Number One:
'Average civil service pay is £22,850 a year, compared to £24,970 in the private sector'

Good point well made - so show me how many people really dodge tax on £24,970 per annum? Those slagging off the private sector look at these figures (thank you for providing them, I hope they are accurate) and realise that only a small minority of individuals in the private sector earns 'big salaries' and 'bonuses' and contribute disproportionately in tax whilst taking much less out of the system (there are many indirect taxes in this country don't forget, they aren't so easy to avoid! plus avoiding income tax is very expensive) Going even further than that only a small minority of bankers earn the kind of figures that get publicised in the papers. AND, as many have already pointed out, the private sector maintains our welfare state. Stop persecuting the very people and companies that contribute the most to our economy - where would the NHS be without the massive contributions of the banks and their employees in taxes? No other industry pays as much tax as the Financial Industry (and I am not even including all the peripheral businesses that depend on banks being present in the City - services/hospitality sector, recruitment, IT etc). Don't think for one minute that if the banks and bankers chose to relocate to say Singapore we wouldn't be in massive trouble... But hey I guess having a scape goat (albeit the wrong one) makes the ignorant masses feel better

- Maria, London, 29/03/2011 09:27
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It seems to me that a lot of these so called 'rioters' are just a bunch of wannabe socialist rich kids with silver spoons jammed so far up their butts that they don't give a damn about everyone else. Nice for them they have time for this carry on and don't have to worry about doing proper jobs and paying taxes like the rest of us. Suggest most of them need to grow up and get a life. Great that the government has to throw millions at policing these fools and fixing damaged buildings, there goes a few £m that could have been spent on health care for people who need it... Just pathetic really.

- Rich, London, 28/03/2011 22:43
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So the back office overpay themselves?

Again, don't let the truth get in the way of your argument, Average civil service pay is £22,850 a year, compared to £24,970 in the private sector.

35,000 (7%) civil servants are paid less than £15,000 a year.

40.5% of civil servants - 210,000 people - are paid £20,000 or less. And 63% of civil servants - 330,000 staff - earn less than £25,000 a year.

- Dave Number One, london, 28/03/2011 22:33
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Dave Number One,

I am a floating voter, I vote for the party who will harm me the least.

Front Line Public Sector are mostly OK - problem is that the % of them has decreased significantly under Lie Bore - and the the back-office overpay themselves.

We cannot afford this.

There is no more money. Even if there was I would resist paying it by any means possible.

- Anglo, The Heart of England, 28/03/2011 21:45
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What are you lot going on about????banning protests??? these people ain't going around smashing everything up, only the shops and banks who ain't paying taxes and who got us into this mess. These people are your children, your generation has left them with nothing but hardship and alot of debt, what have you done for your childrens generation? End of Poll tax, how'd that come about?That was violent. How easy was it for you... Free education... Low house prices.. No mass emigration. These people are fighting for our rights. freedom isn't free!

- Horse, Se london, 28/03/2011 19:47
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I wouldn´t be suprised if these busines´s are trying to identify and sue these thugs.That smart ass who threw the fire extinguisher in the last riot, didn´t look so smug when he realised he was going to prison.tough ha ha ha.

- davo, faraway, 28/03/2011 19:05
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The only reason for wearing a mask during demo is obviously to hide your identity because you intend to do something wrong.
It would be a simple matter to ban masks.
It might stop quite a few broken windows and injuries.

- Simon Cooper, London UK, 28/03/2011 18:57
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The issue with these ConDem cuts is that they're too swingeing and too ill-conceived: If you want to cut spending or "waste" as the Tories'd call it, within the NHS for example, then it's the tiers of management who should go not nurses and frontline staff.

Also to claim that all of the marchers have a selfish vested interest of simply protecting their own jobs, as some posters on here have, is wholly ridiculous: These cuts will affect us all, whether we lose our own job or not. Do you really think your local community will be a better place with its swimming pool, youth club, Elderly people's day centre all gone? With fewer nurses to look after growing numbers of patients in your local hospital?

Those who protested peacefully on Saturday on the actual TUC march were taking a stand for us all. Those too cowardly to see the necessity for protest and who simply slate the march on here need to take a reality check. When, in a few months time, their own communities are worse places as a direct result of the cuts, maybe these head in the sand types will realise what they've lost...too late though in any case.

- Enlightened, London, 28/03/2011 18:55
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The Police should have Shoot To Kill powers to use on the rioters.

- Vince London, West London, 28/03/2011 18:51
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Ban marches and demos in the Oxford Street Piccadilly West end areas ... boring. We're back to the 1968/69 West End shopocracy wanting to curtail the anti VIETNAM WAR PROTEST MOVEMENT agenda. They failed and a good job too.

- IAN CAMERON, LONDON, 28/03/2011 18:43
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water canon the yobs. including the police who just watched the yobs take control. 3rd world police force in a 3rd world dustbin country.

- steve, upminster, 28/03/2011 18:38
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Can the Police tell us why they chose not to arrest any of the high profile thugs in balaclavas who were seen around the world destroying property?

- LondonKen, London, 28/03/2011 18:27
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More drivel from our Tory friend Anglo.

So immigration officers, custom officers, tax inspectors, social workers, traffic engineers, ward clerks, teaching assistants, postmen, civilain MoD staff working with our armed forces, ambulance, fire and police 999 staff are all unimportant are they because they are not front line staff?

See how you miss them when they aren't there.

- Dave Number One, London, 28/03/2011 18:16
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"Where were you educated .Must have been one of Ball's idiots. Have you no comprehension of economics, the overspending of tax revenues by Brown ,Milliband and Balls himself caused this country to be in the dire financial straights we now find ourselves.

- Tojo, Hythe Kent, 28/03/2011 17:09"

Tojo, I have no interest in economics neither do I pretend I do either
There are many private sector workers dodging tax, do you believe that is acceptable given the need that our country is in right now?
That is why members of uk uncut lashed out at big named businesses for tax dodging. Young people know they are being let down by a government that is promotes capitalism.
Capitalism is quite simply about private businesses that exploit their employees whilst the businessmen take the majority of the profit.
It's a bit like the sorry state the railways are in today for example, all created by capitalism.

- Anon, London, 28/03/2011 18:05
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@colin, barking essex

Why don't the front-line doctors, nurses, teachers, firemen etc have the courage to confront those in management, middle-management, admin, advisory and bureacratic positions in the public sector whose gold-plated pensions and unaffordable over-inflated wages have affected quality of service and contributed to front-line job losses?

- Paul, London, 28/03/2011 18:02
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People on the march did not do so out of idealism,and a better country, they marched because they had a vested interest i.e themselves.

- Leonard Lillywhites, Tottenham, 28/03/2011 17:50
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It is disappointing that so many on the ‘no- or reduced-cuts’ front have absolutely missed what has been going on for years. Completely missed the point and still think there is a reasonable alternative. There is not and other countries will shortly have to do the same as us. It may be horrible but that is what happens when you leave a Labour government in power for too long. It always happens – nothing new, just much worse this time.

- a reasonable person, london, 28/03/2011 17:40
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Barking Colin,

just popped out from under my stone to advise that you are referring to 'front-line' jobs.

Only 20% of the public sector are front-line.

Let's leave the front line out of it - no-one wants to cut that particularly.

Just crawling back under now.

- Anglo, The Heart of England, 28/03/2011 17:20
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@ Anon
Where were you educated .Must have been one of Ball's idiots. Have you no comprehension of economics, the overspending of tax revenues by Brown ,Milliband and Balls himself caused this country to be in the dire financial straights we now find ourselves.

- Tojo, Hythe Kent, 28/03/2011 17:09
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All the Tory stooges ranting about those in the public sector.Next time you need a nurse,doctor,ambulanceman,fireman or a policeman,have the courage to repeat your view that they are lazy parasites with featherbedded pensions to their faces.If you cannot,then just crawl back under your stones.

- colin, barking essex, 28/03/2011 17:07
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The fact is, clamping down on tax evaders in the private sector, our banks and other big businesses could pay for the 81 billion debt, 4 years cuts programme. That would be a suitable alternative, wouldn't it Anglo.
The other alternative is to rid bankers of their bonuses for the duration this country felt the deepest affects of the recession, again, savings to be had!

- Anon, London, 28/03/2011 16:59
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I absolutely agree with the reader who says masks should be banned in protests. If they're ready to ban the burka, I see no religious reason for wearing a mask when you protest, unless you know very well you will be photographed trying to smash a bank's windows.
This simple ban might alleviate some of this disgusting damage.

- Simon Cooper, London UK, 28/03/2011 16:49
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So you think £4200 is excessive? Get real.

My point is instead of trying to drag everyone down to the lowest denominator - which seems this Government's intentions - we should be trying to improve things for the private sector.

A race to the bottom is to no-one's advantage. It will simply lead to more social collapse and more crime.

- Dave Number One, London, 28/03/2011 16:42
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Dave number one ... "Excluding the very highest earners, the average civil service pension is £4,200 a year"

1. To make this statement meaningful you would have to quote the average pension in the private sector for comparison.

2. You should also compare the % employers contributions in both sectors (it is 4 times more in the public sector)

3. You should also account for the fact that most public sector pensions are 'contracted out' so the beneficiaries pay less NI. This is unjust because 'contracting out' means they will not be a burden on the taxpayer, but, with a deficit of over £1trillion that is precisely what they are.

£4500/year for a civil service pensions sounds excessive to me.

- Anglo, The Heart of England, 28/03/2011 16:38
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I think a few of you need to learn how pensions work in the private sector before you try and pass off public pensions as reasonable!!

- john entwistle, Hertford, 28/03/2011 16:29
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Blimey the trolls at Tory central office are busy today. Either that the sun has got to a few people's brains. How the hell was the rioting the fault of the TUC or the public sector?

Cameron and his lap dog Clegg should give a medal to their spin doctors and the right wing press for making so many people feel so vindictive to the public sector. I find the ignorance of those posting such bile terrifying.

I wouldn't mind if those coming out with such drivel had a clue what they are talking about. Excessive pensions says one - fact: Excluding the very highest earners, the average civil service pension is £4,200 a year.

Spout your prejudices by all means but at least get your facts right.

- Dave Number One, London, 28/03/2011 16:02
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getting tired of taking a social bashing for making a good living, frankly i think i worked a lot harder to get where i am than any of those 'protesting' against cuts. its getting to the point where its pointless being in this country that doesnt reward and help those who contribute the most to the pot. instead they are made to feel less a part of the society we have paid to build simply because we pay more tax. in many cases the more wealthy dont benefit from the tax it pays....i have private healthcare for me and my family for example if the worst happens. wealthier families also are more educated about health including what to eat and what not thus reducing problems later in life. and once in later life wealthier families normally have savings and take less from the pot in terms of public services and travel etc. its not 'unfair' as many indeed claim....its unfair for wealthier families who pay more and get less. those who take take take should be made to pay.

- Richard, London, 28/03/2011 15:55
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Apparently the father of one of the ringleaders Thom Costello of UKUncut is manager of the Broadway theatre in Catford. I personally will not set foot in that theatre as long as his father still works there

- NeilAnon, London, 28/03/2011 15:54
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Did nobody notice that without a bailout from numerous governments around the globe that capitalism (that several of you say we need) would have totally collapsed, so much for the free(haha) market economy.

- Conan, Chelmsford, UK, 28/03/2011 15:39
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"Or why did we not hold but just one Tomahawk misslie or whatever we are sending dozens of daily to Libya to avoid the cuts?"

- Tom, Colchester, 28/03/2011 12:41

Yours is such an ignorant and idiotic standpoint.

You do realise that those missiles (and the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft) that are being used in Libya have already been bought and stockpiled as part of successive Labour government defence budgets, don't you?

The Coalition didn't come into power 10 months ago and immediately order hundreds of missiles and fighter planes with the intent of using them in Libya, therefore spitting in the face of the budget cuts.

In fact the Coaltion have already put in place an 8% reduction in the defence budget, which has already seen people lose their jobs.

Even if the entire defence budget was scrapped it would come nowhere near covering the ridiculous deficit the Labour government left us, plus you'd have around 200,000 military personnel plus all the thousands of people that work at the MOD and other affiliated organisations out of work instead.

Why don't you try looking at the bigger picture before making smartass comments?

- Sam, London, 28/03/2011 15:21
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Like it or not,we need business to be successful so they employ people who pay tax, as do the companies. In so far as Fortnums is concerned 1} It wasn't long ago they were losing money year after year 2) Fortnums has been mainly a tourist attraction for years, earning us precious overseas currencey. Thanks to a few ignorant idiots rioting, that business will no doubt decline over the near future, thereby earning the UK less income with which to pay for NHS and benefits etc. Thanks for nothing.

- Jose Luis, London SW18, 28/03/2011 15:14
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Didn't Boris & Cameron smash up a few restaurants in the name of "high spirits" in their younger days, suspect they didn't pay for the damage caused by them.............

- Conan, Chelmsford, UK, 28/03/2011 14:58
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The TUC's interest is not in the workforce, it is in their falling membership numbers.

Those of us in the private sector are only just beginning to understand how much of a banquet public-sector unions have been having at everybody else’s expense.

The Labour Party is of course union-backed, getting 80% of its funding from public-sector unions so has a huge interest in holding hands with them in any cause at all. That is not in the public interest.
Union membership in Britain has collapsed in the private sector over the past 30 years from 44% of the workforce to 15%. That is not because the bosses are tyrants.

Private-sector unions have learned to exercise self-restraint when it comes to pushing for more manpower: they realise that more workers may reduce the wages of their members and that a higher wage bill may drive their employers out of business. But public-sector unions are relentless in demanding more resources and more personnel, which conveniently translate into more members and more dues.

There is an essential case for strong public services but the unions must start to take a more responsible role than many of them currently do: bad teachers mean a lousy talent-pool for employers and allowing a subway driver to retire at 50 on an artificially inflated pension means less to spend on infrastructure. Unions need to focus more on what society need and spend less time on saving face and trying to arrest the falling membership numbers.

- a reasonable person, london, 28/03/2011 14:57
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Redsquare, know how you feel. my pension is now £2370 a year from a pension pot approaching £100000, thanks to the Labour government ignoring the recommendation of the Parliamentary Ombudsman twice. But I'm still not moved to street violence. Too much of that in the past from Fascists and Communists. Incidentally didnt mum give you a proper name.

- alan., England ., 28/03/2011 14:55
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I was trying to get across Oxford Circus from the north side of Oxford St down to Soho on Saturday afternoon - at this point it was clear that what was going on in Oxford Circus was rioting and not peaceful protesting. I wish I didn't have to be there as I didn't feel safe, however it was reassuring to see all the police out. All those marching down Oxford St in masks should have been detained or diverted or masks should have been confiscated - wearing a mask is a clear indication of intent to cause trouble/be violent so should not be allowed during protests - the general public trying to shop etc was clearly made uneasy and this is a real shame. Police were composed and polite, happy to communicate with all the confused tourists - good job, still I wish I wasn't paying for the clean-up as a Westminster resident - after all we were never asked whether we are happy for our council tax to be wasted on this! How counterproductive and what a waste of public funds!

- Maria, London, 28/03/2011 14:48
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Maybe if companies like Fortnums had paid the tax they should, there would have been enough police available to protect the them.

- Roy, Transpondia, 28/03/2011 14:39
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So all we hear is how the Tories are leading us to the brink of disaster by clearing up Labours mess.

People complain and moan about the cuts even King Chump Ed, ironically!

Thanks for your moaning which isn’t really constructive or helpful, now let’s hear other ways in which you think we can shrink our deficit please?
Labour know they would do exactly the same themselves but are too frightened to admit it.

- Paul, Enfield, 28/03/2011 14:32
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I think its a bit rich, that given it was the policy's of the Labour party aided and abetted by the TUC that made these cuts necessary in the first place!

The TUC feels it now needs to protest against results of their own failed doctrine, and in doing so provided those that seek to cause social disorder and indulge in criminal activity with a golden opportunity to riot.

Reminds me of the mass Football hooliganism of the 70's and 80's all over again!

- Realist, London - England, 28/03/2011 14:18
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Honestly is my £5,000 per anum at retirement pension excessive? That'll be 15 - 20 years from now and worth sod all by the time I actually get it, those of you banging on about excessive public service pensions really have no idea, most nurses, teachers, physios etc will get about the same as me. We don't have the vast salaries of managers, nor do we have their pensions!

- redsquare, london, 28/03/2011 14:16
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@ Hansel, London, 28/03/2011 11:15

I hate the way the left demonise those with money. Working hard and risking all to get ahead doesn't make you a 'crook'.


I totally agree why should we apologise for going to work and contributing to society, good point Hansel

- Tracey, London, 28/03/2011 14:14
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This is what happens when you have a justice system (sic!) under which even if they do actually get caught! no one gets properly punished for their wrong doings.

There is NO fear of prosecution in the UK any longer so we get this!

- A Riot ? Oh what a suprise!, London - England, 28/03/2011 14:12
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"If you took a bank loan you couldnt afford you are as responsible as the bank you borrowed from. If you work in the public sector you need to understand that the rest of us cannot and will not fund your excessive pensions when we ourselves do not benefit from similar perks. If you voted for the Labour party over the past 15 years you need to understand that your vote helped create the situation we find ourselves in. You might not like it but its time to toughen up, stop moaning and help clean up the mess - the party is over.

- john entwistle, Hertford, 28/03/2011 12:43"

BEEN READING THE DAILY MAIL AGAIN JOHN AND NOT LOOKING AT THE FACTS, 25 YEARS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR ME, NOT GOT AN EXCESSIVE PENSION, MY CHIEF EXEC MIGHT DO, BUT I HAVE NOT! IF YOU LOOK AT THE FACTS YOU WILL FIND THAT YOUR AVERAGE PUBLIC SECTOR WORKER IS TREATED LIKE CRAP BY GOVERNMENTS (LABOUR AND TORY), AND BY THEIR EMPLOYERS. 20 OF THE LAST 25 YEARS I HAVE WORKED IN IT OUR EMPLOYERS HAVE BEEN CUTTING YEAR ON YEAR. I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE VIOLENCE OF THE ANARCHISTS ON SATURDAY, BUT I DO UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATIONS FACED BY MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY, PUBLIC SECTOR OR NOT.
FINALLY, WELL DONE PLOD, GOT THE BALANCE RIGHT I THOUGHT, AND I WAS THERE FOR THE NON-VIOLENT PEACEFULL MARCH AND RALLY WITH MY WIFE AND 15 Y/O DAUGHTER, HER FUTURE IN THE COUNTRY LOOKS BLEAK TO ME.

- Conan, Chelmsford, UK, 28/03/2011 14:08
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What was Ed Miliband thinking on Saturday. How to commit Political suicide- speaking at a demo. Next he may speak at the Miners conference.

Tony Blair didnt speak that the Miners conference and he was elected. Michael Foot and Neil Kinnock spoke at the Miners conference and guess what they were not elected.

So the good news is that the 2 Ed's or it is 2 heads will not get elected again as they are unelectable especially with the backing of the silly unions.

Up the right wing.

- michael, London, 28/03/2011 14:08
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Ed M had every right to speak out at the Rally, he is after all the Opposition Leader, and against the savage cuts. The TUC, the and Police all the commentators said the March had been a peaceful one. The trouble only started, by small pockets of trouble makers, after the main Rally had finished.

- dhan raj, basildon, 28/03/2011 10:54

There are no cuts, certainly not savage cuts as the sage of Basildon would have us believe. There is a reduction in the rate of increase in public spending which is a rather different thing.

- MiguelM, Old Isleworth, 28/03/2011 14:00
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What did those spoilt little lollipops really want to protest against? Were they taking part in some sort of creative, whatever Art project with the horse and all?

Were they revolting against Daddy, who has too much money and enjoys his £30 a pot marmalade from Fortnum and Mason?

Some of the little rude fairies even went to hairdressers and displayed first class coiffures.

Give them a broom, a bucket and a mop and make them wake up at 4am and clean their prison or Young People's half way houses every single day for a couple of years.

Most poor people have no idea of what and where Fortnum and Mason is.

Decadence...

- Michaella, London U K, 28/03/2011 13:51
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The TUC should be made to pick up the bill.

A pathetic disgrace, typical of the unions.

Labour under Gordon Brown led this country to the wall, the Tories under Dave and supported by Nick will lead this country out of recession but it takes time.

The private sector will lead the recovery. The majority of public sector workers are lazy, who follow their union leaders blindly. The majority of union leaders are trouble makers, just look at Saturday.

Ban all further protests from London.

Time for the public sector to wake up and face facts that the private sector matters.

- michael, London, 28/03/2011 13:50
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The whole point of protest is to cause as much disruption as possible. A policed march in the middle of nowhere would be useless. Best thing would be to withhold tax and refuse to oxygenate the murderers and thieves that make up our government.

- Conspiracy Factualist, London UK, 28/03/2011 13:48
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We have anarchic slags on the loose in town. The cure, I believe, is in the hands of the London Mob. It's an ancient outfit - goes back several hundred years - but one knows instinctively if one is a part of it.

It will bide its time and wait for its moment. Then, one fine day it will cut loose and deal, without mercy, with these malconted, society-hating, free-loading scumbags.

Watch this space.

- Ted, Chelsea Marina, London, 28/03/2011 13:45
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My goodness i've never read such utter drivel from anons post, it makes dave,londons usual boring labour loving tripe worth reading!

So are you telling me then that companies such as HSBC, Santander and Barclays should not reward their staff when they had buga all to do with the crisis. Perhaps we shouldn't pay anyone a bonus who've taken huge gambles in taking on failing companies such as Barclays taking over struggling Woolwich, nor should we look at successful group Santander who took a risk in purchasing Abbey group and now making them a decent financial institution. Obviously not forgetting the major success of HSBC never being in any trouble during the financial crisis.

How about you try and find out what exactly companies other than Lloyds TSB, Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland and Northern Rock did that has ruined our finances? Simple I can tell you now - buga all!

Slating banks is such a funny excuse for the loony lefties who think no one should have success and that Ken Livingstones idea of an 80% tax on the rich would work. Harman, Milliband and Balls on the front bench - this country would be the worst place to live in the world. What with their pathetic drive the money people out of the country and bring in the terrorists etc. Still it amazes me that there are people out there that trust loonies like Balls and Harman. People with a brain would rather those 2 are booted on a one way ticket to Timbuktu and never come back

- Steve, In anons brainless head!, 28/03/2011 13:21
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I presume that all of the protestors will willingly forgo any future payrise until all of the businesses have been compensated for mindless and ignorant behaviour from the protests. After paying back the businesses they can then repay the tax payers for the cost of policing and vandalism. Then, and only then, should anyone actually care what these idiots think or want.

- James, London, 28/03/2011 12:57
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Wow, I there are many many bigoted and reactionary views expressed on here. and you call yourselves adults?

Here is an interesting quote.
"We got drunk, trashed the Ritz & then went down Piccadilly to loot a few items from Fortnums" Boris Johnson, Bullingdon Club 1986

Funny eh? Well, so long as you have money you can buy your way out of anything. If the lower classes do the same they are "vandals".

- pops, Ware, 28/03/2011 12:54
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If they're so keen on violence send them to proper war, that will separate the wheat from the chafe, the men from the spoilt brats

- Anon2, London, 28/03/2011 12:54
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I think "daddy" makes a good point - how many of these anarchists - got driven in their four wheel drives from the home counties.

Also the main march was well stewarded by officials. And it is obvious that peaceful direct action that UK Uncut are trying to do is attrcting the more militant/violent side of things - they need to do more than "condone" the violence and look at how they make their point and steward their activities. At the moment they are too linked to the rioters - not in intent - but in terms of results.

Its quite scary to see people here suggesting water cannon etc - this country has many strengths - one of which is that the police are not armed. Food for thought.

- MAG, E14, 28/03/2011 12:47
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If you took a bank loan you couldnt afford you are as responsible as the bank you borrowed from. If you work in the public sector you need to understand that the rest of us cannot and will not fund your excessive pensions when we ourselves do not benefit from similar perks. If you voted for the Labour party over the past 15 years you need to understand that your vote helped create the situation we find ourselves in. You might not like it but its time to toughen up, stop moaning and help clean up the mess - the party is over.

- john entwistle, Hertford, 28/03/2011 12:43
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"All that fuss, mayhem, damage and sabotage for an "alternative" which amounts to little more than a policy of "slightly slower cuts".
- Totally Confused, Ex London, 28/03/2011 08:54"

Or why did we not hold but just one Tomahawk misslie or whatever we are sending dozens of daily to Libya to avoid the cuts?

- Tom, Colchester, 28/03/2011 12:41
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Police knew exactly where the trouble makers were. They started And finished in t square. As the media and public criticised police tactics to contain the trouble makers I think they went for a softer approah. See what happens. Let the police do what they thinks best or the tax layers will be the cost of all the damage. If the trouble makers who made it clear they were going to cause trouble were contained at the start allot of the damage wouldn't have occurred. Allowing the peaceful demonstrators 249800 of them a chance to march safely!! Can't have it both ways. Soft cuddly policing doesn't work!!!

- A non, London, 28/03/2011 12:39
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Look at the picture in the Standard. Its not right wing to ask is this the acceptable face of protest. Imagine it happening in your street, outside your front door.

- alan., England ., 28/03/2011 12:28
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Surely if you are one of these gangs of thugs in masks causing damage , you should be arrested and charged with premeditated criminal damage and locked up. In additiuon if they are being supported by the state with benfits or grants they should have them removed.

It might not seem such a jolly wheez when there are personal consequences over and above a night ion teh cells with your mates and a caution.

- Paul, London, 28/03/2011 12:25
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Two wrongs don't make a right but those of you who will complain about this years
notting hill carnival and multiculturalism can clearly see by these pictures that 99% of the violence is being committed by white people

- STEVE, LONDON, 28/03/2011 12:24
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Anon: "Who gave away our money and never got it back? - The Bankers"

I think you'll find that it's the Labour Party, actually, over the last 13 years, hence the massive deficit. But why let facts get in the way of a politicised, biased rant, eh?

The public sector under Labour did exactly the same things as the banks; wasted and gambled money away that was no theirs and are unable to pay off their debts. But because they're the public sector they assume they're free from reproach or consequence.

- Peter J, Canterbury, Kent, 28/03/2011 12:11
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Anon London

your pseudo questions:-

"who gave away our money and never got it back? - The Bankers"

"Who had their part to play in the recession? - The Bankers"

"Who is still getting bonuses despite their incompetence? - The Bankers"

The bankers partial liability for the financial crash. Unacceptable sure enough, but before those problems we had a structural deficit which the banking problems brutally exposed. So, do n't shoot the messenger.

However, even if I accept that the bankers were entirely to blame (which I do n') it really does not matter who caused this.

The problem is still there and banker-bashing will NOT cure it. In fact it sounds to me as though your pointing the finger at the bankers is just an excuse not to address the problem.

We need cures not whinges and excuses to ignore the obvious.

The cure is less tax and more cuts.

Get used to reality.

- Anglo, The Heart of England, 28/03/2011 12:01
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"The 250,000 represented the "exceptions" I suppose. If the bonus earning bankers, the wealthy and all the rest who seem to be resented, there would be very little to distribute amongst the exceptions. Everyone seems to be an exception. Don't these people realise that some of the "jobs" doled out by Labour in recent years must go not to mention the rest who have to suffer some form of cut. It is not the Tories' fault !

- Michael, London, UK, 28/03/2011 11:05"

Michael who gave away our money and never got it back? - The Bankers

Who had their part to play in the recession? - The Bankers

Who is still getting bonuses despite their incompetence? - The Bankers

A bonus is only justified if somebody has actually worked hard to get it. A group of people that had played their part at bringing the country to it's knees however are simply getting bonuses for failure.
I wish my job was like that - it's a better alternative to getting the sack!

- Anon, London, 28/03/2011 11:45
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aggressive trespass ? what a crappy offence, on a normal day you wouldn't even be able to book them in for this...
sounds like they are all being charged for political reasons.....
is it in the public interest to charge them ? hmmm...

- Steve, London, 28/03/2011 11:23
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Isn't it time these people started paying for the damage they create. Not just the clean up, but extra community service, cleaning sewers and the like..

Personally I support any action taken by the police to bring them to justice..

- James, UK, 28/03/2011 11:21
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It wasn't "a small number " of people causing mayhem, but hundreds and hundreds. So predictable, as was the police response in being at the wrong place at the wrong time. I know they can't be everywhere but wasn't it obvious early on that Piccadilly was the focal point of trouble?

- eastbridge, limehouse, 28/03/2011 11:18
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A person is not owed a living by the state, particulary those that have not contributed the amount they demand. If fair is fair then why don't those who have never relied on the state get a NI rebate ?

I hate the way the left demonise those with money. Working hard and risking all to get ahead doesn't make you a 'crook'.

- Hansel, London, 28/03/2011 11:15
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The 250,000 represented the "exceptions" I suppose. If the bonus earning bankers, the wealthy and all the rest who seem to be resented, there would be very little to distribute amongst the exceptions. Everyone seems to be an exception. Don't these people realise that some of the "jobs" doled out by Labour in recent years must go not to mention the rest who have to suffer some form of cut. It is not the Tories' fault !

- Michael, London, UK, 28/03/2011 11:05
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Miliband insulted the memory and achievements of all those who fought for women's suffrage, American civil rights and the end of Apartheid by comparing his violent march of brainwashed useful Labour idiots and economic illiterates to such noble achievements. Sorry, but he should be ashamed of his infantile student politics rhetoric.

- Totally Confused, Ex London, 28/03/2011 11:02
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I watched the scum on the streets of West London, on TV of course as I did not feel safe to take up my rights to go shopping.
When will we be able to use tear gas and water cannon like other countries do. Or maybe the police could throw indelible colour over the rabble to identify them for later. I suppose we will now get the usual complaints of police "brutality". I hope a few of the rioters get a tough time in hospital.

- Michael, London, UK, 28/03/2011 10:59
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"How attractive!

This march was a mix of anarchist idiots and a bunch of union activists trying to protect their over-privileged existence.

The British Public Sector is a sick joke.

More cuts and less tax please.

- Anglo, The Heart of England, 28/03/2011 10:23"

Union activists?? Really is that all who marched Anglo?
I know somebody who marched who has been falsed to live on benefits because her disabled daughter is too dependent on her mother. The disabled daughter is a young adult, can't walk or even talk clearly enough to even hold down the most basic of jobs at a supermarket due to her condition. She will always be like that too. Yet, under the Coalition government apparently a disabled person that is that dependent on her mother is in a fit state to go back to work.

- Anon, London, 28/03/2011 10:59
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'Kiddies' understand when their mummies can't take them to Surestart Centres any omore or their Teachers tell them they have to put up with leaking roofs, or their EMAs are abolished and Tution Fees are hiked up.
Its a fallacy to say that the Labour Party is in the pocket of th Unions; we may be in hock to them, but certainly not in their pockets, as several rounds at Warick will attest.
Ed M had every right to speak out at the Rally, he is after all the Opposition Leader, and against the savage cuts. The TUC, the and Police all the commentators said the March had been a peaceful one. The trouble only started, by small pockets of trouble makers, after the main Rally had finished.

- dhan raj, basildon, 28/03/2011 10:54
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What a wonderful police force we have. They arrest and charge a few hundred kids standing around peacefully in F&M but don't appear to do anything to all the nutters in their masks wrecking the shop.

And good luck to the marchers. I'm self-employed but still support them. I just don't understand this crazy desire of the Tories and their Lib Dem lapdogs to push everyone's living standards down to the bottom instead of trying to improve the standards of those at the bottom.

And for all you people posting such right wing bile on here, just remember you are yourselves always just one pay cheque away from redundancy. Then you'll be grateful for a fully functioning public sector to look after yourself and your family.

- Dave number one, London, 28/03/2011 10:53
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Realist : Your comrade badge is on its way. Your ability to accept everything Comrade Cameron tells you with such loyalty and to bow before your master is truely amazing.Eton has done a fine job in educating you as to not have your own opinions or to think for yourself.If you are ever in Communist China ,you will be most welcome.

- dave, london, 28/03/2011 10:53
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Surely there is such a charge as rioting, or affray. I remember after the Nottinghill riots in 1958 , some of those arrested got a sentence of four years. if i was arrested carrying an offensive weapon i could expect a sentence of at least six months. Why dont the police conduct stop and search at tube stations. Rioting is rioting .

- alan., England ., 28/03/2011 10:52
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According to the BBC there is only one view on the cuts and there are no thugs breaking into the shops and harrasing ordinary people?

- Tojo, Hythe Kent, 28/03/2011 10:34
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Weird comments as always. One from Basildon is pleased kiddies were against cuts. for Petes sake what do Kiddies know about economics. Appalled Milliband had to support his masters, the TUC. Especially when many Labour members agree cuts must be made. In Germany people are turning against the established political parties, the same will happen here. The most encouraging sign is people are beginning to realize Scottish and Welsh should have no say in English affairs.

- alan., England ., 28/03/2011 10:29
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I think the Coalition deserve our respect and support as they do the dirty work of winding back the damage of 12 years Labour government.

Miliband and his Dartmouth Park mansion give us something to aspire to as we roll up our sleeves.

- Nick, London, 28/03/2011 10:29
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If Lie Bore were in power their last 'plan' was to cut by £14 billion as opposed to the £16 billion in the current governments plan. So, if we had Ed & Ed I/C we would have only 87.5% of the pain.

How attractive!

This march was a mix of anarchist idiots and a bunch of union activists trying to protect their over-privileged existence.

The British Public Sector is a sick joke.

More cuts and less tax please.

- Anglo, The Heart of England, 28/03/2011 10:23
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dhan raj, Basildon

Yeah, I think I saw one of those "ordinary people" on the BBC. A middle aged lady who claimed that she was 'marching' to stop the government from "dismantling the NHS" and that "we will fight them all the way"

Now, I might be slow but I haven`t read of any dismantling of the NHS . . . . cutting wasteful services and management posts maybe, but no dismantling. Why would she feel the need to "fight" against cutting waste?

As for being "gratified" by people protesting about the state of things . . . . those people were all as deluded as the lady on the tele.
If they have a job, paid for by the taxes of the private sector - you know the sort, those that actually create the wealth that pays them - rather than protest, they should be damned grateful that most of them have a job to go back to this morning. assuming they`re not in one of those 'waste of money' jobs

- Realist, London SW, 28/03/2011 10:21
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David Cameron has alienated a lot of teenagers since he became Prime Minister - that's quite an achievement Mr Cameron!
Whilst, I do not agree with the violence that they caused which ruined it for those that wanted to protest peacefully they have successfully highlighted that we are not "all in this together" as Cameron and Clegg keep saying.
If that was true businesses would be paying their fair share of tax, and a number of those in the private sector who are using the aid of their accountants to dodge tax would be paying their share too.

- Anon, London, 28/03/2011 10:14
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I agree with Patrica ( 08.34 )
I was also surprised by the number of Communist/Marxist disabled taking part, not to mention the extreme left wing pensioners,nurses,off duty police officers, NHS worker's etc, etc, we owe so much to the Daily Mail for keeping us so well informed.

- Brian Wiltshire, London, 28/03/2011 09:59
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The labour government destroyed the financial backbone of this country and it now appears that the present leader, by deciding to speak at Hyde Park at a rally that he should have known would have a public disorder element, is aligning himself with destroying the moral backbone of the country. He has not come up with any substantive alternative to fix the economy his party broke. The words pathetic and immature spring to mind.

- PATRICIA, LONDON, 28/03/2011 09:46
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I had to laugh over the weekend while viewing the 'anarchists' and their interpretation of 'radical free thought'.

Did anyone else notice on the audio when the little darlings were being dragged away by the police how plummy they were?

I have a feeling that there were an awful lot of Porsche Cayennes and Range rovers picking up the anarchist offspring from police stations around London on Sunday morning.

Makes you wonder why the spawn of the upper middle class feel the need to smash up west end shops.

My theory is that Mummy could only afford to send them for one months snowboarding in Lech this year where all of the other Mummies were sending their spoit little brats to Chamonix. Hence the need to smash up one of Mummy's favourite shops (that'll teach her when she can't get her favourite tea and marmalade from F & M eh, kids!?)

Losers!

- Daddy, Kensington, 28/03/2011 09:42
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... that should have read:' London counts the cost of cuts'.(full stop)
Good March. Really gratifying to see so many ordinary people out there protesting about the state of things. Yes, pensioners and kiddies and trade unionists all out there showing their deep concerns, getting off their backsides, unlike some whingers.

- dhan raj, basildon, 28/03/2011 09:35
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Fully agree with the right for peaceful protest, but really hate the minority, that think it is acceptable to terrorise the staff in shops, while spouting socialist values. They are not true socialists, just a minority of bullys that want to feel important by wearing masks and smashing things.
If any of those arrested is a student, then kick them out of school and if any are on benefits, then stop giving them money. Tax payers are fed up paying for these people.

- Steven, Cheshunt, 28/03/2011 09:33
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Peaceful protest is useless. Only direct action has any effect on the dumbed-down plutocracy that's strangling this country to death. Smashing windows is fun but counter-productive. What is needed is mass non-cooperation with the authorities and an adamantine refusal to participate in our make-believe "democracy".

- Conspiracy Factualist, London UK, 28/03/2011 09:29
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I see Yellow Bellies Camerons Big Society turned out to protest,only to find out that the goverment will not listen to any peacefull protesters.
Wonder how peacefull it will be next time 250 000 people demonstrate.Not sure what Red Ed was waffling on about either.

- dave, london, 28/03/2011 09:16
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Good to see that so many turned out to make the march so successful, be a pity if their political fervour now loses its bite and they go back to sleep and dream of being warm cosy sheeples again. After all Multibrand gave a rousing speech in blaming the Tories when it was his own political party that signed the Lisbon treaty that changed Britain into 12 Banana Republics of the EU.

- Billed, Brighton, 28/03/2011 09:05
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All that fuss, mayhem, damage and sabotage for an "alternative" which amounts to little more than a policy of "slightly slower cuts".

- Totally Confused, Ex London, 28/03/2011 08:54
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I was surprised to see so many pensioner's,and wheelchair bound Marxists taking part in the march.

- Patrica Longton, London, 28/03/2011 08:34
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