Skip to main content
Advertise with the Morning Star
The second superpower: February 15 2003
Although it came very close, the enormous Stop the War demonstration 20 years ago did not stop the Iraq war – but we must remember the huge impact it had on Britain’s ability to wage future wars, says IAN SINCLAIR
VIBRANT: Anti-war demonstrators make their way down to piccadilly in central London in Hyde Park, February 2003

IN two key respects, there is a broad consensus about the February 15 2003 anti-Iraq war march.

First, it’s understood to be the largest political demonstration in British history, with over one million people marching in London.

Second, it is generally considered a total failure, something many on the left also believe.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
IS albums
Album reviews / 6 October 2025
6 October 2025

New releases from Steady Habits, Jeff Tweedy, and Tom Skinner

ai con
Books / 2 October 2025
2 October 2025

IAN SINCLAIR welcomes a lucid critique of a technology that reproduces and enables oppression, power, and environmental devastation

IS
Album reviews / 22 September 2025
22 September 2025

Reviews of new releases by Wednesday, Suede, and Nation of Language

IS 2
Album reviews / 9 September 2025
9 September 2025

Reviews of new releases by Jens Lekman, Big Thief, and Christian McBride Big Band

Similar stories
ILLEGAL FROM THE START: British commandos in the south east region of Afghanistan, May 2002
Features / 20 June 2025
20 June 2025

As the cover-ups collapse, IAN SINCLAIR looks at the shocking testimony from British forces who would ‘go in and shoot everyone sleeping there’ during night raids — illegal, systematic murder spawned by an illegal invasion 
 

In this photo provided by Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade
Features / 29 March 2025
29 March 2025
Detailing the deluge of delusion and dishonesty pushed by the pro-war camp, IAN SINCLAIR identifies four key tactics corporate journalists use to confuse audiences and suppress opposition to the proxy war in the east
ARCHITECTS OF SLAUGHTER : Jonathan Powell (right)and Alastai
Features / 23 November 2024
23 November 2024
The British press has welcomed Keir Starmer’s new National Security Adviser without any mention of his deep, central involvement in the criminal invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan — but history remembers, writes IAN SINCLAIR
Features / 2 November 2024
2 November 2024
In a farewell interview with Ben Chacko, outgoing CND general secretary KATE HUDSON reflects on 21 years of leading Britain’s peace movement, tracing the evolution of global threats and peace activism from the cold war to today