ACTIVIST, politician and gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell certainly has no problem speaking his mind.

Last night, during his time in the spotlight of the Swindon Festival of Literature, he let rip on bankers and their infamous bonuses, economic democracy and explained how free market capitalism has ruined Britain and the rest of the world.

Peter, who scooped the Campaigner of the Year award in the Observer Ethical Awards last year, said that the bankers should be put on trial for what they have done to this country.

He was speaking last night to a packed out Arts Centre where everyone seemed to be enthralled by his ‘taking no prisoners’ approach to his subject matter.

His talk covered every base of what is wrong with the world from social inequality, environmental issues and the lack of commitment from any political party to make the changes needed for a fairer and more balanced Britain.

He was every inch the outspoken and motivated speaker one would have thought he would be and glided from one subject to another – each as animated as the last.

He also proved to be quite gutsy in his exploration of his topics, something one would take for granted from the man who twice attempted a citizen's arrest of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

His assessment of New Labour was that it was war hungry and favoured the big businesses as opposed to the small worker bees.

He also voiced his proposals on how the tip the balance - including making corporate negligence punishable by law and making it a legal right for an elected employee to sit on the board of directors at large firms.

He said that the people of Britain could force the government’s hand on some of the big issues by rallying together - something he likened to the repealing of the Poll Tax in the early 1990’s.

Overall Peter came across as a thoroughly confident and well researched speaker.

He is clearly passionate and well versed on the issues that matter the most to him.

At points the talk did begin to sway into the territory of a party political broadcast, but his passion and engaging nature managed to pull it back.

It is clear to see why Peter is one of the most respected and loved of this country’s campaigners.