Saturday 5th May 2012

This year, the annual Mayday events/march began at the Forest Ground. After forming up, people marched down the Manfield Road, through the City Centre to have a rally and hear speeches at the Congregational Hall in Castle Gate, Nottingham

Local trade unions representatives made speeches. The rally featured nine speakers in total including representatives of the CWU, Unison, Aslef, PCS, UCAT, the NUT and Notts Uncut.

A number of protesters then interupted Sir Alan Meale, the Labour MP for Mansfield, from speaking. Meale’s invitation to speak at this Notts Trades Union Council organised rally had already sparked condemnation in the run up to the day concerning his alleged support for “anti-working class” politics and his expenses claims. Protesters used whistles, heckles and placards to prevent Meale from speaking.

The protesters say that "some Labour MPs have supported working class struggles, against the wishes of their party. Alan Meale is not one of these. Sir Alan is loyal to the New Labour project and voted in favour of the Iraq war and against subsequent investigation of it, was strongly in favour of draconian anti-terror legislation and the authoritarian ID cards scheme, and voted strongly for making the asylum system tougher and more punitive. He has also treated the working class with contempt by claiming £13,000 in expenses for gardening and £7,000 for redecorating his home whilst many of his constituents struggle to make ends meet. “Sir” Alan Meale got his knighthood because of his political contribution. He has demonstrated himself to be an opportunist politician who has not hesitated to sell-out the working class to further his career prospects".

The protest caused a division in those present on the validity of thier action. There were many raised voices and a certain amount of pushing and shoving.  However, as Dave pointed out: "Trades Council don't own MayDay, Trade Unions don't own MayDay, nobody owns MayDay. It's a public event, not a private party where attendance is by invitation only and on the understanding attendees will behave themselves".

This bit was one of the most exciting lefty gigs I've been at in years, exposing how different we all are in our ambitions and objectives.  I guess there will be a few months of arguements now. Who do you think we should invite next?  I future, might bring my crash helmet I use when covering public order. Can't wait for next year :-)

Alan Meale should not speak on May Day

https://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2524

Nottingham May Day - one anarchist's perspective 

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2566

Anti-Labour party protest at Nottingham May Day [Feature]

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2569

Sir Alan Meale MP

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/alan_meale/mansfield

MPs' expenses: Labour MP Alan Meale spends more than £13,000 on gardening: Labour MP Alan Meale spent more than £13,000 on his garden in four years, billing the taxpayer for a new storage building, repairs to his fencing and gates, and bark to keep the weeds down.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5424425/Labour-MP-Alan-Meale-spends-more-than-13000-on-gardening-including-gates-storage-building.html

Alan Meale MP's expenses

http://mps-expenses.guardian.co.uk/labour/alan-meale/

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ALAN LODGE 

Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham.  UK

Email:                 tash@indymedia.org

Web:                   http://digitaljournalist.eu

Member of the National Union of Journalists [NUJ]

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"It is not enough to curse the darkness.

                                   It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"

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