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Ice Cream Cacophony Drowns Out Government

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Important affairs of state were conducted to a surreal backdrop Monday as dozens of ice cream vans blocked Whitehall -- blaring their tinny theme tunes in hideous disharmony. Up to 50 of the garish vans, which sell ice creams and lollipops to children and tourists through the summer, cranked up the sound systems which signal their presence, producing a sound that had Londoners clamping hands over their ears.


Only "Greensleeves" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy" were discernible from the din of a dozen different tunes as the traders complained about a dearth of space for them to ply their business in the heart of London.

"It's the council. They are refusing to give us licenses for the summer -- it's our livelihoods," said one ice cream seller.

Two were arrested as the protest became heated.

A spokeswoman for Westminster City council said there were seven established "pitches" for ice cream vendors in the middle of the capital. To stop London's clogged roads becoming even more congested, no more could be offered.

"There are seven but they want more," she said. "Nothing has changed. They are just doing a bit of lobbying."

Reporters, grateful for a story after leaving their morning briefing with Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman, bought lollipops and tucked into the story.

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