I'm sure many watching their televisions at home were delighted to see so many turn out on tonights demo outside Downing Street. It did indeed demonstrate that there is pubic opposition to this war and mass concern for the knock on effects in other countries such as Pakistan and Palestine. It would be great if the small amount of coverage recieved were to encourage non-activist members of the public to also express their concerns.

Fortunately for the anti-war movement the media did not focus on the fact that the demonstration included many who seemed to think that selling their party papers, chanting and shouting, and contributing to a generally factionalised and almost belligerent atmosphere makes a valuable contribution to the most urgent issue at stake here: an end to this war.

If we are to encourage the genuinely broad range of people who oppose the military action to join this movement, and actively (rather than passively) oppose this war then surely the anti-war demonstrations should be concentrating purely on the issue at stake, not turning complex arguments into slogans and thus alienating many in the process. Of course we all have a political perspective on this issue, but the time to push these are not at a demo which can only be effective when it is seen to be clear, inclusive and, most importantly, accessible to all sections of the public.

If we stand any chance of building a serious and effective public opposition to military action, individual organisation's political postions must be subordinated to the need to present to the media and public a united and coherent opposition.