ANTI-COUNCIL tax campaigners converged on the capital on Saturday to hammer home a clear warning to Tony Blair's government that "enough is enough".
The shirts left fluttering on the metal barricade surrounding Downing Street said it all: "You've had the shirts off our backs - what more can we give?"
The symbolism was graphic, the protest sincere. They were ordinary, responsible, law abiding citizens - happy to pay their way in society, but angry at the government's apparent inability to recognise their plight.
The majority were pensioners on fixed incomes who, despite their age, had travelled miles to turn out in the brisk October weather to represent many thousands more who were unable to afford or to endure the journey.
Having worked hard all their lives they were now, they said, being stripped of their savings and forced into poverty by above-inflation council tax increases which far exceeded any increases in their pensions.
While referred to in some quarters as the "Grey Brigade", this, they said, was a "wake up call" to all in Middle England - whatever their age - who are gradually but surely being "bled dry" by a tax which is unfair and fails to take account of the individual's ability to pay.
Just eight months after their last deputation, they marched on Downing Street to deliver the second phase of an 87,000 strong petition demanding a halt to further "unsustainable" rises in council tax while a new system is agreed between local and central government which should be "seen to be fair and which does away with the iniquities of the present system".
Led by local Isitfair campaigner Christine Melsom, and supported by the Royal British Legion, protesters had come from every far-flung corner of the country to register their anger.
Stunned by a recent revaluation of property, which has seen some council tax bills rise by over a third, there were representatives from Wales who were keen to warn others of the financial pain to come.
Protesters had been blessed by a prayer from the Revd Alfred Ridley, a 70-year-old retired vicar from Towcester who currently faces imprisonment for non-payment of council tax.
Joining the marchers was Exeter pensioner Sylvia Hardy, who had recently barricaded her property against the bailiffs for non-payment but was bailed out unexpectedly by an unknown benefactor - an act of generosity which Christine Melsom believes was "kind but misguided".
Mrs Melsom said: "We have to stand up for our principles - if we don't we might as well give up now."
While not wishing to encourage people to break the law, Mrs Melsom believes what is needed is for everyone to register their inability to pay.
"If everyone said no, we can't afford it, then the government would have to take notice - they couldn't lock us all up," she said.
Although fewer in number than in January, for Mrs Melsom Saturday's march was better. "completely different - the atmosphere was charged with emotion, more militant," she said.
Flanked by Devon pensioner Albert Venison, and West Sussex Isitfair supporter William Cobbett, and closely followed by the Welsh and Cumbrian contingent, Mrs Melsom led the march down Whitehall - Isitfair banner carried high above her head. Having been interviewed on camera by the national media, she was bound for Downing Street where she headed a small deputation to knock on the door of Number 10 and hand in the petition.
On her return, she and a handful of protesters draped shirts over the railings barricading the PM's residence bearing messages outlining their plight.
She came fresh from her triumph at Hampshire County Council and a speech - written in part by husband, John, which earned her wide applause. According to Mrs Melsom, it even brought an acknowledgement from the HCC leader, Ken Thornber, that, in his opinion, Isitfair been instrumental in helping to secure an extra £400m from central government from which Hampshire had benefited this year.
It is the view of her supporters that 'Isitfair' has made "a big difference" in the past year but, said Mrs Melsom, "there is still a long way to go".