While the government was being grilled over its reasons for starting a war with Iraq, preparations were being made in London for similar conflicts in the future. Thousands of delegates came to the Docklands to buy weapons off UK and foreign companies at DSEI (Defence Systems & Equipment International). The arms companies are free to sell weapons to both sides in ongoing conflicts and governments who routinely kill, bomb and torture their own people were invited to the event. UK arms exports are heavily subsidised by the government and not so long ago we paid for some missile parts to go to Iraq after their government failed to pay. Many of the deals made at DSEI would be illegal under UK law, but will go ahead because the buyers and manufacturers are foreign.

With this in mind, a determined band of PNP people and friends went to London on September 10. There we joined a few thousand other protesters to take direct action against the fair. There was a massive police presence and protesters were routinely followed, searched and photographed throughout the week of action (in some cases using anti-terrorism legislation).

Some groups blocked entrances to the centre and important roads close by, some got into the site to talk to delegates and others made one hell of a noise outside the hotel where they had their big, posh dinner. In contrast to the big antiwar demos there were organised attempts to physically disrupt the war machine and there was a lot of anger on the streets. Still, the only violence we saw was the odd bashing from the police.

The anti-war struggle continues on many different fronts. The issues go way beyond the Hutton enquiry and a dishonest Prime Minister. Many of the richest people in this country, one way or another, have got rich through war. None of the poor people in this country have benefited from war; military spending and arms exports cost us money and leaves less for public services. The trip to London was well worth while; a fairly small number of people caused a big nuisance, the policing bill is estimated to be £2 million and the Borough of Newham may think twice before hosting DSEI again.