The ex-Labour MP John Woodcock, the self-styled Lord Walney was until 2024 a Government advisor on political extremism.
In October 2024 Walney discussed his thoughts on protests (he opposes them) at the London Assembly. He was due to produce a report in 2021 and finally managed to do so earlier in 2024
One proposal was that there be a charge for protesting in London beyond one-off. This is aimed at climate protesters and those supporting Palestine. Walney has paid lobbying interests opposed to both causes..
The report is mainly built on his personal prejudices so he mentioned again weekly protests on Palestine in London. This is a familiar theme of the right-wing media. In fact the 31st march for Palestine on 11th October 2025 (since October 2023) underlines that marches take place every three or four weeks
Walney was told that his proposals were unlawful and unworkable not just by those who support protests but by those who are rather less keen. He appeared to concede that perhaps there were issues…..
However he remains an active lobbyist to restrict and ban protests and was urging the same in a comment piece in the Times last week. The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood before announcing a Government attempt to curtail not far right marches but those on Palestine noted that she had been speaking to people beforehand. Walney seems a likely candidate..
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