Repertoires of Contention. From slow marching to slow walking
During Tuesday’s Commons debate on the Public Order Act the question of the tactics used currently by Just Stop Oil activists was raised. A Tory MP wondered if slow marching was allowed. The Minister explained that slow walking was the issue. It appears that under some little understood part of the Act cumulative slow walking may be illegal.
Ministry of Silly Walks anyone…
House of Commons 9th May 2023
Tom Hunt
(Ipswich) (Con)
I cannot think of a greater waste of time than an inquiry into this matter. The police did a fantastic job over the weekend. They took actions under pressure, having to make decisions quickly to ensure that a great national event went ahead without any kind of negative event—I am glad that that happened. Does the Minister share my concerns that some Just Stop Oil protesters think they might have found a loophole in the Public Order Act and can get away with slow marching? Will he assure me that that is not the case and that we will not continue to see Just Stop Oil protests cause havoc in our towns?
Chris Philp
Just Stop Oil has adapted its tactics since it blocked the M25 in November, causing 10-mile tailbacks, after which a number of arrests were made, with some of the people involved then being remanded in custody. It has changed to these slow walking tactics, but the police are applying cumulative disruption tests to those, using section 12 of the Public Order Act 1986 and making notices under that Act. Following recent disruptions in the past 10 to 14 days, the roads have typically been cleared within 10 minutes, which I am sure Londoners, my constituents and others, will welcome strongly.
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