London, Parliament Square on 9 December 2010

Today, watching the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla,
thirteen years ago on 9 December 2010 the King and Queen had, then,
a sober experience that, at the time, suggested that today’s Coronation would never happen

From the Archive

Written, late evening, following the Parliament Square, City of London riots on 9 December 2010.

The peaceful protest rapidly descended into unlawful assembly, rout, then riot when a Royal Car conveying the future king was recognised, and a pole hurled into the car through the window, extending across the width of the seat and miraculously just missing HRH the Duchess of Cornwall.

It moved me that the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall nevertheless attended their Event, though later footage showed just how dangerous the situation had been.

*

Reporting for duty today

was like any other day.

We knew there was an important vote.

We knew that people would take to the streets.

We're trained well though

and not lacking in equipment,

as in Dad's day.

But people's tensions run high

Always the infiltrator

to upset peace and good order,

to turn a protest into disorder

and offence just three short steps:

Unlawful assembly . . .

rout . . . 

and full blown riot!

Did they read the Riot Act

as in former times?

Each blames the other

But our duties are clear,

The streets of London

are for people to go about

their lawful business . . .

townspeople, commuters,

shoppers and tourists.

And it is a given 

that in this land,

in this great City . . .

the world’s envy we’re told . . .

an heir to the throne

should be allowed

safe passage!

When I first stood on the line in 1972

I was flanked by some ‘17 hands’, rippling, calm

Protesters surged, we stood our ground

The 17 hands left flank struck my side.

I naturally pushed back

He was on my boot!

To my horror the more I pushed

the more he leaned inwards!

'Hey mate, he's on my effin boot!'

The guy winked, cocked a smile

and with a slight click of spurred heel

his charger moved

ever so slightly

to my right

a few centimeters, that’s all

just enough to clear my boot,

but without losing our line.

Later we had a pint.

Well earned too;

for the day's events grew uglier still.

Attempts to storm the Treasury

Supreme Court Buildings, too.

I take my helment off to all

to be fair. 

Me mates,

the protesters,

the countless students I had good banter with,

the children (though I question mums and dads)

the Heir to the Throne keeping his cool,

the smile of the Duchess once the shock was taken in,

journalists,

camera crews,

paramedics,

observers,

above all the Rule of Law.

It's what makes this country great

and it's only on the line

in defence of the realm

that sometimes

freedom to demonstrate,

to argue,

to fight,

is appreciated.

But it comes at a price.

Every injury is a failed measure.

And death, God forbid,

would be the end of us all!

Strange though.

It’s an outlandlish comment,

but, you know, that group above,

of all of them, two stand out

as people to be wary of,

people who cannot be trusted

people out to inflate and goad

The journalist or TV presenter

The cameraman.

 Ian Bradley Marshall

Composed December 9, 2010 whilst watching events live on BBC News 24 unfolding

 Liverpool

Upon watching the riots in Parliament Square earlier today
 recalling my own times in 1972
and the mid 1970s Bread Riots

30 October 2021
All Rights Reserved


LIVERPOOL

© 2021 Ian Bradley Marshall

First published by Spiderwize in Meanderings – An Anthology of Poetry and Prose Volume II in October 2011