This research, supported by Liberty, goes beyond the current simplistic understanding of public opinion on protest, used to justify a large number of new restrictions on protests introduced in the space of a few years by the previous government, through the use of a deliberative research method – the first time such methods have been used to understand public views on protests.
We brought together a representative sample of 24 participants from across the country over the course of four online sessions in our People’s Town Square to learn about and discuss the topic of protest. We also tested our findings for broader resonance through polling.
We found that the overwhelming majority (83%) of the public support the right to peaceful and non-violent protest, but also heard concern about protests that cause serious inconvenience or disruption.
However, views on inconvenience and disruption were nuanced, and, once individuals were given the time, space and information to reach considered judgements, these concerns became less prominent, whilst over half (57%) of participants responding to a follow-up survey became more supportive of the right to protest after the People’s Town Square.
This report sets out a number of recommendations informed by principles developed by our research participants that will enable the new government to take political leadership in this area, in a way that brings the public along with it.
The recommendations fall into four key areas:
- Political leadership: We are calling for the Government to commission a comprehensive, independent protest review involving a range of stakeholders in a participatory way. We also recommend that the Government consider taking this participatory approach on other divisive issues.
- Legislative reform: We make a number of recommendations for legislative reform based on the findings of our People’s Town Square, that the aforementioned review should consider.
- Better police implementation of legislation: As well as recommending a review of police powers, we make recommendations aimed at ensuring that police use any powers appropriately, which may help to rebuild trust with marginalised communities.
- Raising awareness of protest legislation, conditions and rights: We found low awareness and knowledge of protest legislation at the start of our People’s Town Square. Our recommendations look at the role that police, their partners, and civil society can play in raising awareness of protest legislation, conditions and rights.