'We don't want Bush visit'

Two-thirds of Londoners do not think it is the right time for President Bush to come to the UK, according to a This is London poll.

In response to the question 'Is this the right time for President Bush to visit the UK?', 66 per cent of 1,834 voters answered no, while only 34 per cent said yes.

And asked what their principle objection was to Bush's state visit, 29% of the 1625 respondents cited the war on Iraq, while 20% said it was the policing costs.

The increased risk of terror attacks was a concern for 19% of voters, while the disruption to Londoners accounted for 16% of the replies.

Eleven per cent objected to the pomp and ceremony surrounding the visit, while 5% said their primary concern was his team of armed agents.

The cost of policing the three day visit, during which Bush will stay at Buckingham Palace, is estimated at around £5.5million - more than any other major event in London this year.

Security services and police are currently on the second-highest level of alert amid fears that terrorist groups such as al Qaeda or even a lone fanatic could launch an attack during the visit.

Around 100 officers from the City of London police are currently on secondment to the Met, while 1,000 officers from British Transport Police are patrolling the London Underground and the capital's rail stations.

But even so, the President will still be bringing an enormous entourage some 700 strong.

It includes 250 Secret Service agents, many of them carrying weapons, and 150 National Security advisers. US Secret Service agents are on hand to 'take out' any direct threat to the President's life.

A US Marine Corps Sikorsky Sea King helicopter and a Black Hawk helicopter will be on permanent stand-by, and two identical motorcades, each made up of 20 mostly armoured vehicles - including President's Cadillac De Ville, are being airlifted to Britain.

Meanwhile, protest groups have been busy organising a series of demonstrations - all of which will require policing.

The Stop the War Coalition's main demo will be held in Trafalgar Square on Thursday - Socialist Worker has printed tens of thousands of 'Stop Bush' placards to hand out to marchers - while schoolchildren will hold their own protest in Parliament Square tomorrow.

A group called Resist Bush are planning a mock 'tea party' outside Buckingham Palace tomorrow and the organisation Justice Not Vengeance will be holding sit-down protests outside the Palace.

Lastly, the Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army will be protesting with oversized pretzels (Mr Bush once choked on one).

Messages posted on this site's community boards reflect the depth of feeling over disruption to ordinary Londoners' lives, and the opposition to the warm welcome extended by the state to President Bush.

One user going by the name of asaint said: "The government has refused to meet the estimated £5m cost of Met policing, even though Bush is here at their invitation. And that is not to mention the cost to London's businesses of the disruption that this visit will bring.

"This government really do have nothing but contempt for Londoners and the SE of England - they see us as nothing but a cash cow to prop up their power base in the regions."

Another, something2say, writes: "Does he [Bush] really need the snipers and 14,000 police force?

"We made Blaine pay for his show, we shouldn't have to pay for the Bush show coming to town either."