I went along expecting a tiny demo, but the turn out was pretty good. A number of protestors dressed as fat cats had invaded the store, whilst many more were outside with banners, leaflets and a stall. The cops in their role as protectors of private capital eventually persuaded the millionaires to leave the store, and the picket continued with much spriited chanting.

With the fat cats on one side of the street and the rest of us on the other engaged in a freestyle chant off, the occasional passing morris dancers and the accompaniement of a busking pianist, the picket had for me an air of surreality. The virgin shop had to close one of its door and have a bouncer. Very few people were going in or out, so hopefully the portest managed to hit Virgin in the only place which they care about -- the pocket.

I left a colourful and rowdy protest after about an hour. You can read more about the Keep Our NHS Public campaign over on  http://www.keepournhspublic.com/index.php.