An Un-Parliamentary Protest
We can take some pride in the fact that, of all the many attractions in London, Parliament and the beauty of its buildings have an enduring appeal to young and old. Tourists from all over the world, as well as people living in other parts of the UK, come to see Big Ben and the famous Gothic architecture of our Parliament. However, in recent years this experience has been blighted by one or two protestors in Parliament Square. I am referring, in particular, to the foul and offensive tirade of abuse that pours forth from a megaphone every day in full view of visitors, tourists, school children and the police.
We have an enviable tradition in this country of free speech, liberty to form pressure groups and to come and protest for a particular cause. There are hundreds of different groups ranging from local hospital campaigners to organisations like Amnesty International who arrange to protest outside Parliament every year. It gives MPs a chance to listen, meet and discuss their concerns and gives individuals the opportunity to make their voice heard.
Yet, this is very different. Using their megaphone, obscenities such as “B******s!”, “A load of s**t”, and before Prime Minister’s Questions, the cry of “you f*****g b*****d!” can be heard loudly outside the Houses of Parliament. Imagine a group of young schoolchildren being taken on a visit to Westminster and returning home after hearing such foul-mouthed and unpleasant language. It would not be allowed on daytime television, and yet in takes place in view of police officers who are powerless to intervene, and deeply embarrassed. If they try to intervene directly they are shouted down with the megaphone.
I am investigating along with others to see what action can be taken to stop this offensive behaviour.