Coventry South MP slams Policing Bill as 'attack on fundamental right to protest' - The Coventry Observer

Coventry South MP slams Policing Bill as 'attack on fundamental right to protest'

Coventry Editorial 18th Mar, 2021 Updated: 19th Mar, 2021   0

COVENTRY South MP Zarah Sultana has expressed concerns about the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill currently going through Parliament.

The Labour member has labelled it an ‘authoritarian attack on our fundamental right to protest’ and has voted against it in the chamber.

She said: “It would grant the authorities new, far-reaching powers to crackdown on protests.

“But the Conservatives are rushing it through Parliament, minimising the opportunity for the public to scrutinise the legislation.




“This move to silence dissent is deeply dangerous and contrary to our proud democratic traditions, which stretches back from the Chartists to the suffragettes right up to youth climate strikers in recent years.

“I will continue opposing this authoritarian legislation and standing up for the democratic rights of people in Coventry South.”


The Government claims it wants to widen the range of conditions the police can impose on static protests and even single-person protests to match existing police powers to impose conditions on marches.

It adds, through secondary legislation, the Home Secretary would be able to prevent communities or organisations having activities disrupted.

It has come under fire for preventing protests near Parliament in what the Government claims is to ‘protect vehicular access’ for MPs, peers and others conducting business.

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