Leading article: Rebel with a cause

Monday 20 June 2011 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Brian Haw, whose death was announced yesterday, was a stubborn eccentric in the best English tradition. The one-man peace camp he pitched on Parliament Square 10 years ago soon became a place of pilgrimage for thousands and something of a tourist attraction in its own right. Mostly, though, it was what he had intended it to be: a mighty irritant, slap in front of the seat of national government, and a noisy, scruffy and colourful challenge to the war-waging tendencies of three prime ministers.

Haw's camp survived dozens of eviction efforts, most recently the Mayor of London's vain attempt to have this piece of pavement cleared in time for the royal wedding. But although his followers diligently kept the flame alive after he himself left for cancer treatment in Germany the encampment increasingly appeared to be running out of time. It is perhaps fitting that it was Haw's own time that ran out first.

His supporters now have the chance to give both Haw and his camp an honourable send-off together. And if Oliver Cromwell can have a statue in the precincts of Parliament, surely a small space can be found at the edge of the square opposite for a modest memorial stone to Brian Haw – an old-style rebel who got under the thick skin of the establishment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in