In 1885, riots erupted over the Sunday Trading Bill, which forbade buying and selling on a Sunday – the only day working people had off. Karl Marx described it as the beginning of the English revolution, and a leafy corner of Hyde Park served as the launching pad for many of the demonstrations.
Ever since, the same corner has been known as Speakers’ Corner – a site for public speeches, debate, protest and assembly in Britain.
It all sounds very noble and community-minded, doesn’t it? And it certainly sends the right messages about free speech and people engaging with the system that governs them.
But Speakers’ Corner is also a favourite hang-out for religious zealots and tin foil hat conspiracy theorists. Fortunately, free speech also extends to hecklers.
TOM STURROCK
» Hyde Park, Park Ln, W1K 1QB TUBE: Marble Arch
Verdict: Good for a rant
