The UK’s protesting scene has been growing at a fast pace in recent years. Demands for peace in various conflict zones, challenging government decisions and fighting for equality has led to thousands demonstrating all over the country.
In response, the UK government has been clamping down on the public’s rights to protest by passing new laws and making it harder for people to voice their opinions whilst following new guidelines.
The new Public Order Act: suppressing the people
In May, a new Public Order Bill came into effect. It contains vague guidelines protesters need to follow or risk imprisonment and being fined an “unlimited” amount.
These new guidelines include the banning of locking on to objects, buildings or others, the obstruction of major transport works and the blocking of major infrastructure. In order to crack down on regular protesters, the new bill also allows the police to imprison anyone who has been charged in a separate protest, meaning recurrent protesters are more at danger of imprisonment.
The new bill is leading to increased arrests and easier prosecution of protesters, making it harder for them to voice their concerns. The Metropolitan (Met) police released a statement saying since the end of October there have been more than 210 arrests and 98 charges originating from protests.
Negative impressions of the new law
I was interested to find out how others view the impact of this new legislation. I spoke to several people from my local area, Birmingham.
Birmingham resident Manar commented on the new bill saying: “It’s so hypocritical of them. You can’t be out here saying you’re a democracy but whenever it comes to a legitimate point that goes against your policy, it has to be that it’s not allowed.”
Another local, and professional YouTuber Kojo said: “When they pass a law like that, it’s interpreted in a way to keep power with people who have it and to stop you and your message.”
When asked if he feels that his freedom is being suppressed with this new law, Kojo said: “Not yet but it’s intended to. This bill is not for today but for tomorrow.”
Another negative impression of the new law came from Michael who said: “Sometimes you have to do that [protest] to get the message across. If it’s going to cause traffic jams or whatever, it’s a protest. That’s what they’re for.”
Support for the new law
Retail worker John believes the new bill to be a step forward in protesting as he said: “I think it’s a good thing as long as people’s right to freedom of speech is kept. There has to be a line, like get noticed, but there has to be a respect level.”
Just Stop Oil’s (JSO) campaigns seem to be at the forefront of the negative outlook. The organisation recently carried out a sit-in on Waterloo Bridge, which attracted a lot of police attention and according to the Met, resulted in an ambulance attending a “life-and-death emergency” not being able to pass through, bringing a lot of negative views on the protesters.
Just Stop Oil responded by tweeting: “The Met police appear to be blocking an ambulance on Waterloo Bridge so they can blame it on a protest march going in the other direction.”
Just Stop Oil have been labelled as disruptive by some of the interviewees. Birmingham local Sadiyah said: “With JSO you are alienating regular civilians. JSO is totally preventing people from accessing hospitals, just in the name of trying to achieve their goal.”
Hannah Peck (Deputy Director, climate activist organisation Cool Earth) also commented on disrupted protesting, telling me: “Activism for climate justice is essential as a part of the multiple methods needed to make positive change happen.”
A different type of protest
While there are differing opinions on active protesting, boycotting seems to be growing in favour with the UK public. A recent survey conducted by the business professionals KPMG, showed that 54% of the UK population would stop buying a certain product if the company was found to be misleading their environmental promises, showing that more than half of the population agrees with boycotting.
Long-time environmental campaigners Extinction Rebellion recently conducted their own occupation of The Daily Telegraph’s offices in London. They argued that the world-famous publication is misinforming the public and “spreading lies” in order to show protesters in a bad light.
Ed Allnutt, one of the lead activists, commented on the occupation saying: “The disinformation spread by these newspapers are one of the main reasons why millions aren’t on the streets of the UK demanding government action.”
Multiple interviewees from Birmingham’s vox pop interviews said they prefer boycotting to protesting. Harris said, “You’re getting the government’s attention but you’re not doing anything for the cause. Boycotting is better because it’s financially damaging.” Manar added: “Boycotting is more effective than protesting.”
Fuelling the fire
Recent demonstrations have been fuelled by the government’s failure to maintain their net zero promises. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on 31 July that hundreds of new North Sea oil and gas licences are being granted in the UK, in an attempt to make the country more energy independent.
This move aggravated protesters. Hannah Peck said, “By granting new oil and gas licences, the government is setting itself up to fail its promises as it will not be possible to reach the net zero target without halting all new fossil fuel extraction.”
In last year’s COP27 meeting, the UK agreed to commit with other nations to limit the rise in temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This statement is not supported by the issuing of these new licences.
When governments go back on their promises, the laws about protests and boycotts need to remain untouched. The public’s freedom of speech and their right to demonstrate are the main ways they have to voice their opinions on the government. Without this fundamental right, the public would lose control over what happens in their country.
As Harris said, “It stops people from having their own viewpoint and makes it easier for the government to do what they want to do, regardless.”
