Starmer signals tougher stance on protests linked to Palestine
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is directing the Home Secretary to explore additional powers that could curb protests, with a focus on inflammatory chants at pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The move comes as Labour seeks to balance concerns about violent rhetoric with a commitment to civil liberties, following a wave of protests and a deadly terror attack in Manchester.
Speaking to reporters on the way to Mumbai, Starmer suggested that the government could go further than the measures announced by Shabana Mahmood, the housing, communities and local government secretary, which already eye the “cumulative impact” of repeat protests in particular locations. The aim is to determine when protests become disruptive enough to warrant intervention, including the potential to re-route demonstrations or impose bans.
From cumulative impact to targeted restrictions
Mahmood has outlined how police could consider the ongoing, cumulative effect of protests when deciding if they are lawful. Her proposals would allow authorities to respond to a protest’s sustained disruption by redirecting routes, limiting numbers, or restricting timing. The changes would be achieved by amending sections of the Public Order Act 1986, a move that could bring new enforcement powers but also raises civil liberties concerns.
Starmer indicated that the conversation should widen beyond current proposals to address what he described as a small minority of pro-Gaza marchers who sometimes engage in antisemitic rhetoric. “I’ve asked the home secretary to look more broadly at what other powers are available, how they’re being used and whether they should be changed in any way,” he told reporters. “We need to go further than that in relation to some of the chants that are going on at some of these protests.”
Balancing security and freedom of expression
The prime minister emphasized that the review should consider how police powers are used and whether they should be strengthened or modified. He said the government would consult with community leaders, including representatives from the Jewish community, to ensure measures protect people while preserving the right to peaceful assembly.
Outcry from civil liberties groups has grown, warning that expanding state power to curb protest risks chilling dissent and silencing voices. Critics argue that the focus on a few inflammatory chants could criminalize ordinary expressions of political opinion and create a slippery slope toward broader restrictions.
Context: security concerns and political pressure
The calls for tougher action come in the wake of a terrorist attack at a Manchester synagogue, which intensified political pressure to demonstrate a strong stance against antisemitism and violence. Starmer’s comments also align with a broader Labour effort to “root out antisemitism” across public institutions, including universities and the NHS, as he stated in a Times article marking the Hamas anniversary.
Opposition parties and some MPs have urged caution, pointing to the recent mass arrests of protesters supporting Palestine Action, and the tense atmosphere surrounding demonstrations around Israel and Gaza. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy faced boos at a vigil in Manchester, underscoring the contentious mood around how protests are policed and regulated.
What happens next?
Whitehall sources indicate that police could gain new powers to intervene if protests repeatedly occur at the same site and cause disorder. Protests could be redirected, restricted in terms of numbers, or timed to minimize disruption. Any changes would involve amendments to the Public Order Act and would require careful parliamentary scrutiny to balance public safety with civil liberties.
The government’s plan also involves ongoing dialogue with community leaders and a structured review of how “public order powers” are exercised. Starmer has signaled that the review will be comprehensive, covering current powers and potential enhancements, with a timeline to set out concrete actions in due course.
Public reaction and potential impact
Advocates for civil liberties warn that widening police powers risks stifling legitimate protest and could disproportionately affect minority communities. Proponents argue that targeted measures against inflammatory chants could prevent violence and protect symbolic and real threats to safety.
As the debate continues, observers will be watching how the government navigates the line between maintaining public order and upholding the right to peaceful assembly, especially in a climate of heightened tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine issue.
