In a move set to provoke outrage amongst Manchester's normally inactive LGBT community, the Village Business Association has cancelled all community-focussed events at next weekend's Mardi Gras, Manchester's annual celebration of LGBT visibility and solidarity.

The VBA claims that the cancellations address 'safety and liability concerns' and are related to Greater Manchester Police's policies regarding outdoor drinking, and are raising the possibility of a 'protest march' in place of the annual community pride parade. However, cynics cannot help but notice that all these concerns have been dealt with by every (community) organiser prior to the the VBA's takeover of the event this year - and that the changes, announced last night, have left untouched all the events which will make money for the VBA's members.

It remains to be seen what the community's response will be, and whether this move is in fact motivated by genuine concerns or simple profiteering. What is clear is that a cynical move by the VBA would provide an ideal platform for the LGBT community to join forces with Manchester's growing anti-capitalist movement.