GORDON BROWN is to make a symbolic gesture to critics of the Iraq war by allowing antiwar protesters to demonstrate and march outside parliament.

This will reverse legislation introduced by Tony Blair two years ago to restrict the rights of people to camp on Parliament Square and install banners criticising the government.

The move, one of the announcements planned for the new prime minister’s first 100 days in office, comes amid encouraging opinion polls for Brown. It will be an early sign that Brown intends to be more sympathetic to critics of the war, although it will disappoint those who have been calling for him to declare an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

The restored right to protest outside parliament will be combined with plans to bolster the protection of the Palace of Westminster and key ministries and government buildings along Whitehall. The Sunday Times has seen a memo from Sir

Richard Mottram, chairman of the joint intelligence committee, outlining plans to erect barriers, walls, balustrades and bollards around Parliament Square.

Brown believes the right of the public to protest and demonstrate is crucial to democracy, although he is said to be aware of MPs’ concerns that previous noisy demonstrations in Parliament Square have caused an eyesore and distracted workers in nearby buildings.

One Brown ally said last night: “The legitimate right to peaceful protests, marches and rallies does not mean the right to set up permanent eyesores in the square or the right to abuse policemen and passers-by.”

Iraq remains a highly divisive issue for Labour. Last week, an antiwar protester kicked Brown’s car and antiwar activists are preparing to demonstrate outside the party’s leadership conference today in Manchester.

Brown receives a boost today with publication of a poll showing Labour three points ahead of the Tories, the first time the party has been in front since October. Labour’s “Brown bounce” has given it 39% support, up four points on last month, while David Cameron’s Tories are on 36%, down one point. The poll in The Observer also shows 40% of voters think Brown would make a more capable prime minister than Cameron, against 22% for the Conservative leader.

Brown’s decision to revisit the ban on protests follows his promise to restore the primacy of parliament and to give MPs more opportunities to hold the government to account, including allowing them the right to vote on any future military action.

The government introduced legislation in July 2005 banning unauthorised protests within half a mile of parliament. Brian Haw, the long-time protester, has been allowed to remain camped in the square as a court ruled that his protest had begun before the legislation came into force.

Yesterday, demonstrators took advantage of confusion over Haw’s legal situation by setting up a small antiwar camp in the square as police looked on.

Brown’s decision comes amid expectation that most British troops could be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of the year.

The chancellor will be declared Labour leader today and a new deputy will also be announced. On Thursday Brown will begin a reshuffle, ousting some Blairites and promoting allies. Jack Straw, Alistair Darling and David Miliband are set to be beneficiaries. Sources close to Brown hinted at a return for Geoffrey Robinson, the former paymaster-general, but played down reports of a comeback for Charles Clarke despite his meeting Brown last week.

- Tony Blair prepared to sack Gordon Brown from the Treasury in the run-up to the last general election, a leaked cabinet office document, dated March 2005, reportedly shows. Brown would have been demoted, his department dismantled and some of his key responsibilities removed. The plan was formulated by senior civil servants and Lord Birt, the former BBC director-general.

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