Gordon on the Gravy Train

Party conferences are at best rather boring beasts, and given the current state of the Labour Party and Labour Government, the event currently under way at Brighton is more desperate than most. Fortunately there are always a few things happening around the edges to brighten the day, and Sunday outside the conference hall was certainly a splendid day with a clear bright blue sky that contrasted with the mood inside Fortress Brighton, surrounded by armed police and anti-tank obstacles.

On the promenade opposite the conference centre itself was a reminder of a blot on our and the US government's conscience, the continued detentions in Guantanamo Bay. The orange clad figures stood holding letters spelling out the message 'BRING SHAKER HOME'.

Shaker Aamer is one of two former British residents still at Guantanamo. A 42 year old Saudi national, he has a British family who live in Battersea; the UK government made half-hearted requests for his return in 2007, but have failed to follow these up and he is still under detention. Ahmed Belbacha, an Algerian asylum seeker who lived in Bournemouth, has been free to leave Guantanamo for two and a half years, but has chosen to stay there rather than go back to Algeria, where his life would be at risk; our government has refused to allow him to return here.

Other protests on the sea front included a call to boycott Israeli goods and against Control Orders with their use of secret evidence and Kafkaesque violation of human rights.

Christian Aid's cyclists rode along the seafront with posters declaring that climate change could push 250 million sub-Saharan Africans into poverty by 2020 and asking Gordon to "Lead the way" at Copenhagen in December.

Delegates entering the conference pass a number of people handing out magazines and leaflets, some on serious and worthy issues and others more on the eccentric fringe. Given the current housing problems particularly for many families on lower incomes - which have provided a major area for the BNP to exploit with racist myths - a return to major investment in council housing to make some inroads into the massive waiting lists would seem an excellent idea, and one that would provide a much-needed economic stimulus. But however much we may approve of Abraham Lincoln's sentiments on sustainable smallholdings, the idea that 'Domicile Allotments' are a simple solution to climate change is frankly lunatic.

Rather more serious, but also considerably more amusing is the 'Westminster Gravy Train' offering free transport to conference delegates by the Vote for a Change campaign. Following on from the MPs allowance scandal, this calls for a break with the "voting system that has left parliament unaccountable and unrepresentative" and calls for a referendum on electoral reform.

The 'Gravy Train' - a Thomas the Tank Engine tribute - was crewed by masked figures including Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Hazel Blears, Alistair Darling and Jack Straw as it made its way along the seafront road past the conference centre and stopped for photographs in front of Brighton pier.

But of course the big news from Brighton on Sunday - except that is for the mainstream press, TV and radio - was the major demonstration that took place along the seafront on Sunday afternoon, which you can read about an Demotix in a separate feature.

Party conferences are at best rather boring beasts, and given the current state of the Labour Party and Labour Government, the event currently under way at Brighton is more desperate than most. Fortunately there are always a few things happening around the edges to brighten the day, and Sunday outside the conference hall was certainly a splendid day with a clear bright blue sky that contrasted with the mood inside Fortress Brighton, surrounded by armed police and anti-tank obstacles.

On the promenade opposite the conference centre itself was a reminder of a blot on our and the US government's conscience, the continued detentions in Guantanamo Bay. The orange clad figures stood holding letters spelling out the message 'BRING SHAKER HOME'.

Shaker Aamer is one of two former British residents still at Guantanamo. A 42 year old Saudi national, he has a British family who live in Battersea; the UK government made half-hearted requests for his return in 2007, but have failed to follow these up and he is still under detention. Ahmed Belbacha, an Algerian asylum seeker who lived in Bournemouth, has been free to leave Guantanamo for two and a half years, but has chosen to stay there rather than go back to Algeria, where his life would be at risk; our government has refused to allow him to return here.

Other protests on the sea front included a call to boycott Israeli goods and against Control Orders with their use of secret evidence and Kafkaesque violation of human rights.

Christian Aid's cyclists rode along the seafront with posters declaring that climate change could push 250 million sub-Saharan Africans into poverty by 2020 and asking Gordon to "Lead the way" at Copenhagen in December.

Delegates entering the conference pass a number of people handing out magazines and leaflets, some on serious and worthy issues and others more on the eccentric fringe. Given the current housing problems particularly for many families on lower incomes - which have provided a major area for the BNP to exploit with racist myths - a return to major investment in council housing to make some inroads into the massive waiting lists would seem an excellent idea, and one that would provide a much-needed economic stimulus. But however much we may approve of Abraham Lincoln's sentiments on sustainable smallholdings, the idea that 'Domicile Allotments' are a simple solution to climate change is frankly lunatic.

Rather more serious, but also considerably more amusing is the 'Westminster Gravy Train' offering free transport to conference delegates by the Vote for a Change campaign. Following on from the MPs allowance scandal, this calls for a break with the "voting system that has left parliament unaccountable and unrepresentative" and calls for a referendum on electoral reform.

The 'Gravy Train' - a Thomas the Tank Engine tribute - was crewed by masked figures including Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Hazel Blears, Alistair Darling and Jack Straw as it made its way along the seafront road past the conference centre and stopped for photographs in front of Brighton pier.

But of course the big news from Brighton on Sunday - except that is for the mainstream press, TV and radio - was the major demonstration that took place along the seafront on Sunday afternoon, which you can read about an Demotix in a separate feature.

Party conferences are at best rather boring beasts, and given the current state of the Labour Party and Labour Government, the event currently under way at Brighton is more desperate than most. Fortunately there are always a few things happening around the edges to brighten the day, and Sunday outside the conference hall was certainly a splendid day with a clear bright blue sky that contrasted with the mood inside Fortress Brighton, surrounded by armed police and anti-tank obstacles.

On the promenade opposite the conference centre itself was a reminder of a blot on our and the US government's conscience, the continued detentions in Guantanamo Bay. The orange clad figures stood holding letters spelling out the message 'BRING SHAKER HOME'.

Shaker Aamer is one of two former British residents still at Guantanamo. A 42 year old Saudi national, he has a British family who live in Battersea; the UK government made half-hearted requests for his return in 2007, but have failed to follow these up and he is still under detention. Ahmed Belbacha, an Algerian asylum seeker who lived in Bournemouth, has been free to leave Guantanamo for two and a half years, but has chosen to stay there rather than go back to Algeria, where his life would be at risk; our government has refused to allow him to return here.

Other protests on the sea front included a call to boycott Israeli goods and against Control Orders with their use of secret evidence and Kafkaesque violation of human rights.

Christian Aid's cyclists rode along the seafront with posters declaring that climate change could push 250 million sub-Saharan Africans into poverty by 2020 and asking Gordon to "Lead the way" at Copenhagen in December.

Delegates entering the conference pass a number of people handing out magazines and leaflets, some on serious and worthy issues and others more on the eccentric fringe. Given the current housing problems particularly for many families on lower incomes - which have provided a major area for the BNP to exploit with racist myths - a return to major investment in council housing to make some inroads into the massive waiting lists would seem an excellent idea, and one that would provide a much-needed economic stimulus. But however much we may approve of Abraham Lincoln's sentiments on sustainable smallholdings, the idea that 'Domicile Allotments' are a simple solution to climate change is frankly lunatic.

Rather more serious, but also considerably more amusing is the 'Westminster Gravy Train' offering free transport to conference delegates by the Vote for a Change campaign. Following on from the MPs allowance scandal, this calls for a break with the "voting system that has left parliament unaccountable and unrepresentative" and calls for a referendum on electoral reform.

The 'Gravy Train' - a Thomas the Tank Engine tribute - was crewed by masked figures including Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Hazel Blears, Alistair Darling and Jack Straw as it made its way along the seafront road past the conference centre and stopped for photographs in front of Brighton pier.

But of course the big news from Brighton on Sunday - except that is for the mainstream press, TV and radio - was the major demonstration that took place along the seafront on Sunday afternoon, which you can read about an Demotix in a separate feature.

Party conferences are at best rather boring beasts, and given the current state of the Labour Party and Labour Government, the event currently under way at Brighton is more desperate than most. Fortunately there are always a few things happening around the edges to brighten the day, and Sunday outside the conference hall was certainly a splendid day with a clear bright blue sky that contrasted with the mood inside Fortress Brighton, surrounded by armed police and anti-tank obstacles.

On the promenade opposite the conference centre itself was a reminder of a blot on our and the US government's conscience, the continued detentions in Guantanamo Bay. The orange clad figures stood holding letters spelling out the message 'BRING SHAKER HOME'.

Shaker Aamer is one of two former British residents still at Guantanamo. A 42 year old Saudi national, he has a British family who live in Battersea; the UK government made half-hearted requests for his return in 2007, but have failed to follow these up and he is still under detention. Ahmed Belbacha, an Algerian asylum seeker who lived in Bournemouth, has been free to leave Guantanamo for two and a half years, but has chosen to stay there rather than go back to Algeria, where his life would be at risk; our government has refused to allow him to return here.

Other protests on the sea front included a call to boycott Israeli goods and against Control Orders with their use of secret evidence and Kafkaesque violation of human rights.

Christian Aid's cyclists rode along the seafront with posters declaring that climate change could push 250 million sub-Saharan Africans into poverty by 2020 and asking Gordon to "Lead the way" at Copenhagen in December.

Delegates entering the conference pass a number of people handing out magazines and leaflets, some on serious and worthy issues and others more on the eccentric fringe. Given the current housing problems particularly for many families on lower incomes - which have provided a major area for the BNP to exploit with racist myths - a return to major investment in council housing to make some inroads into the massive waiting lists would seem an excellent idea, and one that would provide a much-needed economic stimulus. But however much we may approve of Abraham Lincoln's sentiments on sustainable smallholdings, the idea that 'Domicile Allotments' are a simple solution to climate change is frankly lunatic.

Rather more serious, but also considerably more amusing is the 'Westminster Gravy Train' offering free transport to conference delegates by the Vote for a Change campaign. Following on from the MPs allowance scandal, this calls for a break with the "voting system that has left parliament unaccountable and unrepresentative" and calls for a referendum on electoral reform.

The 'Gravy Train' - a Thomas the Tank Engine tribute - was crewed by masked figures including Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Hazel Blears, Alistair Darling and Jack Straw as it made its way along the seafront road past the conference centre and stopped for photographs in front of Brighton pier.

But of course the big news from Brighton on Sunday - except that is for the mainstream press, TV and radio - was the major demonstration that took place along the seafront on Sunday afternoon, which you can read about an Demotix in a separate feature.

Party conferences are at best rather boring beasts, and given the current state of the Labour Party and Labour Government, the event currently under way at Brighton is more desperate than most. Fortunately there are always a few things happening around the edges to brighten the day, and Sunday outside the conference hall was certainly a splendid day with a clear bright blue sky that contrasted with the mood inside Fortress Brighton, surrounded by armed police and anti-tank obstacles.

On the promenade opposite the conference centre itself was a reminder of a blot on our and the US government's conscience, the continued detentions in Guantanamo Bay. The orange clad figures stood holding letters spelling out the message 'BRING SHAKER HOME'.

Shaker Aamer is one of two former British residents still at Guantanamo. A 42 year old Saudi national, he has a British family who live in Battersea; the UK government made half-hearted requests for his return in 2007, but have failed to follow these up and he is still under detention. Ahmed Belbacha, an Algerian asylum seeker who lived in Bournemouth, has been free to leave Guantanamo for two and a half years, but has chosen to stay there rather than go back to Algeria, where his life would be at risk; our government has refused to allow him to return here.

Other protests on the sea front included a call to boycott Israeli goods and against Control Orders with their use of secret evidence and Kafkaesque violation of human rights.

Christian Aid's cyclists rode along the seafront with posters declaring that climate change could push 250 million sub-Saharan Africans into poverty by 2020 and asking Gordon to "Lead the way" at Copenhagen in December.

Delegates entering the conference pass a number of people handing out magazines and leaflets, some on serious and worthy issues and others more on the eccentric fringe. Given the current housing problems particularly for many families on lower incomes - which have provided a major area for the BNP to exploit with racist myths - a return to major investment in council housing to make some inroads into the massive waiting lists would seem an excellent idea, and one that would provide a much-needed economic stimulus. But however much we may approve of Abraham Lincoln's sentiments on sustainable smallholdings, the idea that 'Domicile Allotments' are a simple solution to climate change is frankly lunatic.

Rather more serious, but also considerably more amusing is the 'Westminster Gravy Train' offering free transport to conference delegates by the Vote for a Change campaign. Following on from the MPs allowance scandal, this calls for a break with the "voting system that has left parliament unaccountable and unrepresentative" and calls for a referendum on electoral reform.

The 'Gravy Train' - a Thomas the Tank Engine tribute - was crewed by masked figures including Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Hazel Blears, Alistair Darling and Jack Straw as it made its way along the seafront road past the conference centre and stopped for photographs in front of Brighton pier.

But of course the big news from Brighton on Sunday - except that is for the mainstream press, TV and radio - was the major demonstration that took place along the seafront on Sunday afternoon, which you can read about an Demotix in a separate feature.

Party conferences are at best rather boring beasts, and given the current state of the Labour Party and Labour Government, the event currently under way at Brighton is more desperate than most. Fortunately there are always a few things happening around the edges to brighten the day, and Sunday outside the conference hall was certainly a splendid day with a clear bright blue sky that contrasted with the mood inside Fortress Brighton, surrounded by armed police and anti-tank obstacles.

On the promenade opposite the conference centre itself was a reminder of a blot on our and the US government's conscience, the continued detentions in Guantanamo Bay. The orange clad figures stood holding letters spelling out the message 'BRING SHAKER HOME'.

Shaker Aamer is one of two former British residents still at Guantanamo. A 42 year old Saudi national, he has a British family who live in Battersea; the UK government made half-hearted requests for his return in 2007, but have failed to follow these up and he is still under detention. Ahmed Belbacha, an Algerian asylum seeker who lived in Bournemouth, has been free to leave Guantanamo for two and a half years, but has chosen to stay there rather than go back to Algeria, where his life would be at risk; our government has refused to allow him to return here.

Other protests on the sea front included a call to boycott Israeli goods and against Control Orders with their use of secret evidence and Kafkaesque violation of human rights.

Christian Aid's cyclists rode along the seafront with posters declaring that climate change could push 250 million sub-Saharan Africans into poverty by 2020 and asking Gordon to "Lead the way" at Copenhagen in December.

Delegates entering the conference pass a number of people handing out magazines and leaflets, some on serious and worthy issues and others more on the eccentric fringe. Given the current housing problems particularly for many families on lower incomes - which have provided a major area for the BNP to exploit with racist myths - a return to major investment in council housing to make some inroads into the massive waiting lists would seem an excellent idea, and one that would provide a much-needed economic stimulus. But however much we may approve of Abraham Lincoln's sentiments on sustainable smallholdings, the idea that 'Domicile Allotments' are a simple solution to climate change is frankly lunatic.

Rather more serious, but also considerably more amusing is the 'Westminster Gravy Train' offering free transport to conference delegates by the Vote for a Change campaign. Following on from the MPs allowance scandal, this calls for a break with the "voting system that has left parliament unaccountable and unrepresentative" and calls for a referendum on electoral reform.

The 'Gravy Train' - a Thomas the Tank Engine tribute - was crewed by masked figures including Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Hazel Blears, Alistair Darling and Jack Straw as it made its way along the seafront road past the conference centre and stopped for photographs in front of Brighton pier.

But of course the big news from Brighton on Sunday - except that is for the mainstream press, TV and radio - was the major demonstration that took place along the seafront on Sunday afternoon, which you can read about an Demotix in a separate feature.

Party conferences are at best rather boring beasts, and given the current state of the Labour Party and Labour Government, the event currently under way at Brighton is more desperate than most. Fortunately there are always a few things happening around the edges to brighten the day, and Sunday outside the conference hall was certainly a splendid day with a clear bright blue sky that contrasted with the mood inside Fortress Brighton, surrounded by armed police and anti-tank obstacles.

On the promenade opposite the conference centre itself was a reminder of a blot on our and the US government's conscience, the continued detentions in Guantanamo Bay. The orange clad figures stood holding letters spelling out the message 'BRING SHAKER HOME'.

Shaker Aamer is one of two former British residents still at Guantanamo. A 42 year old Saudi national, he has a British family who live in Battersea; the UK government made half-hearted requests for his return in 2007, but have failed to follow these up and he is still under detention. Ahmed Belbacha, an Algerian asylum seeker who lived in Bournemouth, has been free to leave Guantanamo for two and a half years, but has chosen to stay there rather than go back to Algeria, where his life would be at risk; our government has refused to allow him to return here.

Other protests on the sea front included a call to boycott Israeli goods and against Control Orders with their use of secret evidence and Kafkaesque violation of human rights.

Christian Aid's cyclists rode along the seafront with posters declaring that climate change could push 250 million sub-Saharan Africans into poverty by 2020 and asking Gordon to "Lead the way" at Copenhagen in December.

Delegates entering the conference pass a number of people handing out magazines and leaflets, some on serious and worthy issues and others more on the eccentric fringe. Given the current housing problems particularly for many families on lower incomes - which have provided a major area for the BNP to exploit with racist myths - a return to major investment in council housing to make some inroads into the massive waiting lists would seem an excellent idea, and one that would provide a much-needed economic stimulus. But however much we may approve of Abraham Lincoln's sentiments on sustainable smallholdings, the idea that 'Domicile Allotments' are a simple solution to climate change is frankly lunatic.

Rather more serious, but also considerably more amusing is the 'Westminster Gravy Train' offering free transport to conference delegates by the Vote for a Change campaign. Following on from the MPs allowance scandal, this calls for a break with the "voting system that has left parliament unaccountable and unrepresentative" and calls for a referendum on electoral reform.

The 'Gravy Train' - a Thomas the Tank Engine tribute - was crewed by masked figures including Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Hazel Blears, Alistair Darling and Jack Straw as it made its way along the seafront road past the conference centre and stopped for photographs in front of Brighton pier.

But of course the big news from Brighton on Sunday - except that is for the mainstream press, TV and radio - was the major demonstration that took place along the seafront on Sunday afternoon, which you can read about an Demotix in a separate feature.