around 120 people turned up to a protest in crouch end demanding the resignation of lib-dem MP lynne featherstone for breaking her election pledges. interestingly, it was the more radical speeches that seemed to resonate with and enthuse those attending. seems like revolution is in the air even in the middle-class white media village that is crouch end!

the protest, called by 'right to work' and the 'trades council' was an open mic affair, with around a dozen speakers demonstrating a range of views. the predictable labour activist promised investment and growth under a future labour government after apologising for the iraq war. people didn't seem over-impressed. a green party activist made an appearance and got a slightly better response.

but the surprise of the protest to me was the very real support for students, applause for their bravery, and lack of condemnation of their vandalism or alleged violence. socialist worker activist, gary mcfarlan, gave a first hand account of the police repression and brutality meted out on thursday, exposed the media lies that the police intention was to facilitate the protest, and roused the crowd with talk of a need to get rid of all the current political parties and self-seeking politicians. he even managed to do this without mentioning his party as the only alternative too!

he was followed by another radical call from an 'education activist network' speaker, who called for more protests and for more support from unions, benefits claimants, nurses, firemen, and all others who have yet to be affected by the impending cuts.

this fighting talk really seemed to have the most resonance with the crowd, and it is apparent there is beginning to be a sea-change in political consciousness.

other special interest speakers highlighted the tory proposals to virtually abolish council housing, and the heavy cuts in disability provision.

younger generations were represented by school student labour activist, and even by a primary school boy who bravely took the mic and called for the tories to be defeated.

two bicycle police were detailed to keep an eye on the protest and make sure it didn't develop into a march to lynne featherstone's office to smash a few windows, but, it being crouch end, there was little danger of that today, and after an hour the crowd dispersed peacefully without being kettled, batoned, charged at on horseback, or otherwise repressed.

still, 120 in attendance and the biggest cheers for the more radical voices - not something i'd have predicted for crouch end even a couple of months ago.

there's an online petition to recall lynne featherstone and force a by-election. sign it here