On the one hand, it is good to hear that British troops have been withdrawn from the centre of Basra to their camp out by the airport, but then we hear that they are being re-deployed along the border with Iran.

Gordon Brown tries to give us the impression he is distancing himself from George Bush, but he tries to give George Bush the impression that he is still right behind him.

Brigadier James Bashall, commander of 1 Mechanised Brigade told The Daily Telegraph that he wanted to leave Britain's Basra Palace base in April, which he said would have been "the right thing to do". "The Americans asked us to stay for longer," he said.

That decision to stay cost the lives of 11 soldiers. I hope George Bush appreciates that.

Gordon Brown is worried about pressure from us, but can still give in to US pressure. We need to step our pressure up a bit, and that’s what we’re doing in –

Nottingham's Old Market Square at 1pm on Saturday, 29 September

and –

Demonstrating Outside Parliament on Monday, 8 October

FIRST, Saturday, 29 September

Gordon Brown is due to make his statement on Iraq when parliament returns in October.

Stop the War has launched an open letter to him calling for troops out of Iraq regardless of what the Americans think. We are collecting signatures now. Local MP, Alan Simpson (Labour, Nottingham South) has agreed to sign.

We will be in the Market Square at 1pm (please note the revised time). We have a series of black-edged, coffin-shaped placards inscribed with the names of the members of the armed forces who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. You may have seen them on Indymedia before. We will hold them in a line along the Council House steps. We will display our banner, we'll have our literature stall, we’ll have the open letter, and we’ll give out “Why We Are Here” leaflets to anyone passing.

We will also be remembering the uncounted and nameless Iraqi dead.

Alan Simpson has agreed to speak at this event, and we will read out the names of the dead soldiers.

SECOND, Monday, 8 October: Demonstrate Outside Parliament.

Monday 8 October is the day Parliament reconvenes. We are going to be demonstrating outside. As many MPs as possible must receive anti war delegations from their constituencies on that day.

The letter to Brown (see above) will be handed in, and other anti war activities will be organised in London on the day.

We will organise lobbying of Nottingham MPs. Call John on 07739 712 432 if you want to come to London to chat to your MP. This is a Monday, so we are especially dependent on those who can take the day off work, or are free at that time in any case.

Brown wobbles. A push from us can make a difference.