Right to peaceful protest and freedom of assembly

Early day motion 1084, tabled 22 April 2025 by Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 39 members.

That this House recognises that the right to peaceful protest and freedom of assembly is a cornerstone of a free and democratic society and insists that it must be safeguarded; expresses serious concern over the wide-ranging draconian anti-protest powers introduced by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and the Public Order Act 2023 under the previous Government; acknowledges that the police already have the powers they need to stop what goes beyond a peaceful protest; and therefore calls on the Government to repeal the protest-related provisions within these Acts and to reaffirm its commitment to civil liberties and the democratic right to protest.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 33, Green 2, DUP 1, Independent 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Scottish National Party 1.