On Wednesday 17 July the "South East England Regional Assembly" held their annual meeting, treating themselves to a lovely day out by the seaside.

Originally booked for the Hove Town Hall and locked out because of a strike by public sector workers for fair pay, they had no option but to slum it at Brighton's Grand Hotel.

However, the Members were suddenly shocked by the arrival of a mixed and highly dignified band of protestors. The strains of "Jerusalem", "Rule Britannia" and "Land of Hope and Glory" rang out on the Brighton seafront.

St.George's flags and a huge canvas of John Bull were unfurled; anti-regional banners were held aloft, and others, bearing messages "European States -- Pay Your Own Damn Pensions" displayed.

Although sparse in number - approximately 20 over the day - the initiative and strategy of the protestors was extraordinarily effective.

The site was at a T-junction, with accompanying roadworks, that slowed traffic significantly.

"Hoot to Support the Pound" signs were placed to gain the maximum effect and the beeping was heard by Assembly Members throughout their meeting.

Banner-waving protestors used the central islands and pavements to hand out almost 4,000 leaflets to drivers waiting at traffic lights. Others distributed many in Brighton High Street. Their dedication was incredible!

When elite Members of the Assembly came onto the steps to survey the protest, men in Panama hats took up the megaphone and urged bystanders to observe this traitorous group.

By the end of the day - and the Assembly's session ended earlier than expected - five of the Members expressed sympathy with the gallant men and women outside the hotel, urging us to continue. Could it be that many local policymakers are themselves deeply sceptical at the prospect of this power-grab?

My heartfelt gratitude goes out to those who worked so hard, with such defiance and so much initiative in defence of England.

The next day, the Brighton newspaper, The Argus, reported on the event and included a good picture of the protestors. The web report is at
http://www.thisisbrighton.co.uk/brighton__hove/archive/2002/07/18/NEWS800ZM.html