Airport Demonstration at Downing Street

At around 11:30am on Wednesday, 11th March, a number of Saints and supporters started gathering at Richmond Terrace in London, directly opposite No 10 Downing Street to stage a St Helena led demonstration. The demonstration was organised as a protest against the continued delay by the UK Government in granting funding for an airport for St Helena, which has been promised for four years. Three months ago, only days before the contract to build the airport was to have been signed, the Government announced a “pause” in negotiations with the preferred contractor, in effect halting the project. The announcement left Saints stunned and the demonstration was arranged as a part of continued efforts to convince the UK Government to review their decision to pause negotiations and to realise the critical importance of the airport to St Helena’s future.

By around 12:45, around 100 Saints and supporters had gathered, including a selection of cross-party MP’s and Peers as well as the UK representatives from other Overseas Territories. A delegation of six, Kedell Worboys, SHG UK Representative; Sharon Wainwright, SHG Access Project Manager; Mr William Duncan who served in the Armed Forces, Mr Peter Mercury who served on the RMS St Helena during the Falklands conflict and two six year olds William Baker and Elif Bas, representing the future of St Helena were escorted by the Metropolitan Police and security guards to No..10 Downing Street, along with the supporting Peers and MPs. On reaching the door of No 10, William and Elif handed over a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

The delegation then returned to Richmond Terrace and joined all of the supporters for the march to Parliament Square directly opposite the Houses of Parliament. The MP’s and Peers were happy to continue showing their support by leading the march and helping Saints to display a large banner at the front line with the words "SAVE ST HELENA, BUILD OUR AIRPORT NOW" (words which were also chanted by all throughout the day). The atmosphere was up-beat and lively which certainly drew attention to the group, but most of all, there was a great showing of solidarity.

On reaching Parliament Square, Bob Russell MP for Colchester and Chair of the St Helena All Party Group, addressed everyone and expressed his sadness and frustrations at the way St Helena had been let down by the UK Government. He went on to say that he and others will continue to do everything they can to support Saints in their fight for the airport.

At around 2pm, following loud rounds of applause, cheers and Thank Yous for the MPs who came along to offer their support, the group moved to the upper side of Parliament Square and in true St Helena style, tucked into some well deserved snacks of tomato paste sandwiches, sausage rolls and cakes.

Photographs were taken throughout the demonstration by a number of photographers including the BBC, the UK Press Association and a German Documentary Film Producer/Photographer who had flown in specially from Germany for the event, as well as a locally connected photographer Steven Edwards, who travelled from Bath to be with us on the day. All who attended the demonstration felt it was a success.