The Daily Mail ("Hurrah for the Blackshirts") reported this morning (page 9) that the book of condolences set-up for Margaret Thatcher, within no less than that epicentre of financial greed, the City of London, had received just FOUR signatures – 2 of those were from small children, and naturally the book of condolences is being guarded by a police officer. The Evening Standard is trying to blame the fact that "Ding Dong The Witch is Dead" is apparently set to reach No.1 on "lefties", blind to the irony of a Radio Times poll which shows 89% of the public think the BBC shouldn't ban the song. The Standard's also reporting that no less than the Deputy Bishop of London, the Right Reverend Peter Broadbent, has condemned suppression of dissent about Margaret Thatcher, and criticized the "tide of propaganda" and "appallingly sycophantic reporting" about Thatcher's legacy. Could he, by any chance, be referring to the Evening Standard and Daily Mail?

The Guardian are reporting that Buckingham Palace and senior Whitehall figures are seriously worried about the reputational damage which will be suffered by the Armed Forces, on account of the Forces' role in Thatcher's funeral associating them with such an ideologically-driven and divisive political figure (normally military funerals are reserved for Royalty, in the belief that Royals are perceived to transcend at least party-politics). It seems the only reason that Jeremy Clarkson's been invited to Thatcher's funeral is because he went on prime-time TV calling for striking public sector workers to be murdered in front of their kids.

Last but not least the Met Police are expressing surprise that not a single potential anti-Thatcher protestor has contacted them to discuss arrangements for lawful protests. Lestrade never was the sharpest tool - evidently blind, in this case, to the fact that beating Ian Tomlinson to death and telling people you'll arrest them "pre-emptively" probably isn't the best way to encourage to come forward and discuss how best to exercise their democratic right to protest!

As for Trafalgar Square this Saturday -

1. Stay constantly alert, keep looking and listening out for what the police are up to, especially behind you
2. If the police try to kettle folk or to prevent access to Trafalgar Square etc, keep moving
3. If the police so much as breath on you film their faces and ID numbers (in fact, film them anyway)
4. Beware of Daily Mail reporters acting as agent-provocateurs

 https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2013/04/508356.html?c=on#comments