'Summer of rage' arrives late in Bournemouth and Poole

Two years ago, police chiefs warned of an impending 'summer of rage' in response to the repercussions of the economic collapse during 2008.

Superintendent David Hartshorn, head of Scotland Yard's public order branch, told The Guardian in February 2009 that conditions were ripe for disorder and established activists "would be good at motivating people, but they haven't had the 'footsoldiers' to actually
carry out [protests]."

Today, there are clear signs of co-ordinated action by a number of political groups with local interests throughout Bournemouth and Poole, a broad spectrum of residents affected by upcoming cuts, not characterised by the stereotypes often afforded to a minority of anarchists whose actions have previously threatened to overshadow the wider protest movement.

These people are not merely 'footsoldiers', they are the disenfranchised with a legitimate voice-doctors, nurses, teachers and those others understandably angry and frightened by the prospect of job losses, pay freezes and economic uncertainty as the gap between rich and poor reaches its widest point 'since the Second World War'.

A co-ordinated national raft of demonstrations by protest group UK Uncut took in destinations from 'London to Hawaii' and reached Bournemouth in between over the past weekend.

Demonstrators unhappy with proposed cuts to services by the coalition government targetted a branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland in Bournemouth town centre on Saturday, a clear display of the group's dissatisfaction with the 84% state-owned bank paying more than 100 of its bankers over £1m last year as services such as hospitals and creches suffer.

The Bournemouth strand of UK Uncut were soon met by opposition, however, with Police Community Support Officer's warning protesters they faced a £60 fine for handing out leaflets to highlight their cause, following complaints from members of the public. It later emerged these were employees from the bank.

During an interview with the Bournemouth Echo, music teacher and group member Paul Williams, 41, from Redhill, Bournemouth, told the local newspaper that he was "campaigning against Government cuts, against bank bonuses and the leaflets also clearly stated our opposition to local cuts to libraries", in response to attending council officers who argued members were breaching the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act.

The Act allows for distribution of leaflets for charity or political or religious purposes. It would appear the Council are somewhat confused with regards to the nature of UK Uncut's grievances, overtly political and perhaps too radical for councillors to comprehend in a newly emboldened local political landscape.

Inspector Peter Browning from Dorset Police commented that the protestors had been "warned about by-laws in the area".

Whilst it is reassuring to hear that the law is being safeguarded, even if subject to debate given the circumstances, Inspector Browning might perhaps feel a modicum of empathy with protesters angry at cuts to frontline services, especially given the recent announcement that Dorset Police would be culling 530 posts over the next four years.

Chief Constable Martin Baker lamented how his is "consistently the worst funded force in the country in terms of government grant per resident".

Another protest was planned to take place this evening outside the Civic Centre in Poole, organised by the Bournemouth and Poole Anti Cuts Coalition (BPACC).

Dismayed at plans made by Poole Borough to make £14 million worth of cuts with as many as 160 job losses, Darren Brown, BPACC chair, made the group's feelings known.

"These cuts will affect real people – and those who need the services most will suffer the most. That simply isn’t fair" he said.

What's clear is that groups such as the BPACC, who are planning a number of demonstrations in the lead up to May council elections, are a sign that locals in the conurbation are mobilising to ensure their voice is heard. The outcome and success of their actions is still unclear however one thing is certain-the collective will of residents to freely protest will not be deterred by officious bye-laws and indifference with so much at stake.

New Government, New Dawn?

By the end of June 2010, it looks increasingly likely that Britain will be led by a new Conservative government faced with old questions; the economy, Afghanistan, confronting crime and the environment to name a few. Then there are those issues that will come to the forefront in subsequent years. Will Britain align with the United States on the world stage and agree to co-operate on solving problems in the Middle East and quelling the threats from Iran and North Korea? How will the Western superpowers deal with voracious China and the simmering veiled menace of former foe Russia? Energy and food security combined with climate change (man-made or part of a natural cycle, you decide) are also increasingly complex subjects for Britain as a member of the internatonal community to contribute towards solving.

This week at their annual party conference in Manchester, the Conservatives have been busily outlining their vision of the future. There is a focus on work, graft and the neccessity for massive cuts and public sector pay freezes. Critics have labelled the Tories bleak, the counter argument is that they are merely offering a heavy dose of realism that the country appreciates having been forced to swallow the soundbites of spin that have emmanated from New Labour for far too long.

Not completely enamoured by the Tories or David Cameron but seemingly desperate for some form of change, the British public need to know what changes they can expect, if any, from a new government. It is not entirely clear whether the new dawn will be positive or disasterous, not just for Britain but for everyone.