Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and Unite members at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Hospital were on strike over pay and a march crossed the river to Trafalgar Square.
At the same time, the London May Day march assembled in Clerkenwell Green before also heading to Trafalgar Square. Trade union members, anti-fascist protesters, socialist campaigners, anti-capitalists and critics of the government’s policy towards migrants were among a number of groups represented.
The nurses’ strike was due to continue on Tuesday but a High Court decision last week cut it short, following a request by the government for the timing of the strike to be reviewed. A judge ruled that the full strike would fall outside the six months allowed.
RCN general secretary and chief executive Pat Cullen said: “It is the darkest day of this dispute so far - the government taking its own nurses through the courts in bitterness at their simple expectation of a better pay deal.
“Nursing staff will be angered but not crushed by today’s interim order. It may even make them more determined to vote in next month’s reballot for a further six months of strike action.”

1. London May Day 2023
The march comes down Clerkenwell Road, past Farringdon. (Photo by André Langlois) | André Langlois

2. ‘Pay nursing staff fairly’
NHS workers protesting on Westminster Bridge. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images

3. ‘Happy & Glorious'
While protesters gathered, the National Gallery celebrated the “Happy & Glorious” Coronation next week. (Photo by André Langlois) | Andre Langlois

4. Speech therapists
Speech therapists for fair pay. (Photo by André Langlois) | André Langlois