Political Protests in the UK: A Look into the Future
It has been two decades since a father’s rights group made headlines by throwing condoms filled with purple flour at then Prime Minister Tony Blair. This bizarre act of political protest aimed to bring attention to the injustices faced by divorced dads. Despite a £600,000 security screen installed in the House of Commons to prevent such actions, Ron Davies and Guy Harrison managed to make their voices heard.
While these actions were considered strange at the time, they have laid the groundwork for modern-day political activism. However, the right to protest in the UK is now facing threats due to a specific bill aimed at preventing people from using protest as a defense for committing criminal offenses. Surprisingly, this has only fueled the determination of contemporary protest groups to fight for a better world.
In September 2004, just five months after the purple flour incident, another significant political protest shook the heart of Westminster. Pro-hunting activists stormed the House of Commons during a debate on banning hunting with dogs, leading to the suspension of parliament. Among the protesters was Otis Ferry, son of rock star Bryan Ferry. Eventually, MPs voted in favor of the ban, with 339 votes in support and 155 against. It was later revealed that the intruders had gained access with the help of someone holding a Commons pass.
Over a year later, Fathers4Justice, the same group responsible for the condom protest, returned to action. Guy Harrison, a prominent campaigner, decided to climb the Houses of Parliament on September 27, 2005, holding a banner that questioned Blair’s concern for the people. After five hours, he voluntarily descended but was arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass. As he was being driven away, supporters who had gathered to witness the protest cheered him on. Harrison’s timing was deliberate, coinciding with Blair’s speech at the Labour Party conference in Brighton that same year.
As political protests continue to evolve in the UK, it remains to be seen what the future holds. Will the right to protest be further restricted, or will these acts of civil disobedience continue to shape the course of politics? Only time will tell.
Protesters Scale Parliament Roof in Heathrow Runway Demonstration
In a daring act of defiance, protesters opposed to the construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport managed to scale the roof of Parliament. This breach of security, which occurred despite heightened measures to counter terrorist threats and security breaches, has left authorities red-faced.
Plane Stupid, an activist group formed in 2005, made headlines when they disrupted an international aviation conference held in a central London hotel. During the keynote speech by a senior British Airways executive, the group released helium balloons equipped with personal alarms, causing chaos and drawing attention to their cause.
Occupy Movement Takes a Stand Against Corporate Greed and Spending Cutbacks
In response to the 2007 financial crash and the subsequent Great Recession, the Occupy Movement established an encampment in Finsbury Square, just north of the city. This movement, which originated in New York and quickly gained support in the UK, aimed to shed light on issues of corporate greed and tax avoidance.
The movement expanded to include multiple sites across London. One such site, named the Bank of Ideas and located in Hackney, was evicted in late January 2012. Another site, situated at the premises of Old Street Magistrates Court, faced objections from its owners and was also vacated by January’s end.
The final remaining occupied site was at St Paul’s Cathedral, where occupiers were eventually evicted in February 2012. This marked the end of the Occupy Movement’s physical presence in London.
Black Lives Matter Movement Takes to the Streets in Protest
With the unlawful killing of George Floyd serving as a catalyst, the Black Lives Matter movement gained significant traction in London. News of Floyd’s death sparked widespread outrage, leading to massive marches and demonstrations throughout the city, particularly near the American Embassy in Nine Elms, south London.
Climate Crisis Ignites Protest and Demands for Government Action
The lack of government action in addressing the climate crisis has driven many to take to the streets in protest. On September 2, 2022, Extinction Rebellion activists staged a demonstration in Parliament. Gluing themselves around the Speaker’s chair, the protesters called for a “citizens assembly” to tackle the urgent climate crisis. The protest resulted in eight arrests, with three women standing hand-in-hand in front of the Speaker’s chair and two men flanking them, holding banners.
JUST STOP OIL PROTESTERS MARCH TO SUPREME COURT
The climate crisis remains a hot topic, with the impact of oil on our environment at the forefront of the protest movement Just Stop Oil. The group is calling on the government to halt all future consents and licensing agreements related to fossil fuel development, exploration, and production in the country. Their protests, known for their civil resistance and non-violent approach, have gained attention nationwide, often leading to heated exchanges with drivers.
PROTESTER ATTACKS KEIR STARMER WITH GLITTER AT LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE
During the Labour Party conference held in Liverpool in October 2023, a man disrupted Sir Keir Starmer’s keynote speech by throwing glitter at him. The protester, affiliated with a group called People Demand Democracy, advocates for electoral reform. The incident raised concerns about the adequacy of security measures for Sir Keir, who, as the leader of the opposition, has personal protection. This incident highlights the evolving landscape of protest rights in the UK since 2022.
CHANGES TO PROTEST LAWS IN THE UK
In 2022, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act (PCSC) was passed, granting the police the authority to impose additional conditions on protests beyond their location, timing, and participant numbers, as outlined in the 1986 Public Order Act. This legislation allows for the shutdown of protests that cause unjustifiable noise or harm to others. Protesters can no longer claim ignorance of the imposed conditions as a defense. The maximum prison sentence for damaging a statue has been increased to 10 years. Additionally, a new statutory offense of ‘intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance’ carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years.
RISE OF MASS PROTEST MOVEMENTS
In response to political and social factors, mass protest movements have become increasingly prevalent since 2020. The global protests following the unlawful killing of George Floyd marked the first widespread movement of its kind in a generation. Furthermore, ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and Palestine, coupled with the climate crisis, have created a more unsettled world compared to a decade ago. Political protests are now a common sight on our streets, with regular pro-Palestinian marches taking place in major cities across the UK and worldwide. Despite government efforts to suppress protests, these groups continue to gain momentum as they address the pressing issues affecting our world today.
