The @LordWalney Review on "political violence and disruption" is a manifesto for a police state.
If implemented, it would turn the UK - already an outlier in limiting protest - into something more like an 'illiberal democracy', to use Orbán's phrase.
A few highlights 🧵 👇
If implemented, it would turn the UK - already an outlier in limiting protest - into something more like an 'illiberal democracy', to use Orbán's phrase.
A few highlights 🧵 👇
Let's extend use of police spies and surveillance to invade the lives of anyone we think might "cause disruption" on protests. 
Organising a protest on your local high street without jumping through the hoops to get permission from the police? Prepare to be sued by all the shops there, if they can show you've caused them to have less footfall.
Give police powers to ban processions - not just direct action but marches - they think will "result in intimidation" or "cause serious disruption".
If you're one of the masses of people who have peacefully walked around London with a Palestine flag, this one is aimed at you.
If you're one of the masses of people who have peacefully walked around London with a Palestine flag, this one is aimed at you.
Think there isn't enough police violence at protests?
Well now you're in luck, because soon they could have powers to ban face masks on any demo they don't like. Enforcing that will require, well, a lot of force.
Well now you're in luck, because soon they could have powers to ban face masks on any demo they don't like. Enforcing that will require, well, a lot of force.
"Interpreting the law on encouraging terrorism broadly" - always a reassuring phrase.
So if you use a chant on a protest, or like a social media post, you could now expect to be prosecuted as a literal terrorist.
So if you use a chant on a protest, or like a social media post, you could now expect to be prosecuted as a literal terrorist.
And just in case none of this is enough to put you off organising a protest, the police will now send you a gigantic invoice for their time.
Welcome to Britain, where you can get beaten up all day by cops and pay for the privilege.
Welcome to Britain, where you can get beaten up all day by cops and pay for the privilege.
Worried that juries might not give verdicts you like? Simple, abolish the jury system!
Pay-to-protest is clearly a theme of this report.
Should we listen to @XRebellionUK and @JustStop_Oil? They seem to be quite upset about the end of the world or something.
Nah, ban them. And anyone else who "causes serious disruption".
Nah, ban them. And anyone else who "causes serious disruption".
@XRebellionUK @JustStop_Oil There is plenty more in here to be scared of
It's just as well that Walney isn't really taken seriously. And that the Tories are out of time.
But these are the shape of things to come. And do we really have faith that Starmer would reverse any of it?assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66473edd…
It's just as well that Walney isn't really taken seriously. And that the Tories are out of time.
But these are the shape of things to come. And do we really have faith that Starmer would reverse any of it?assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66473edd…
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