Jack's statement on the planned three-day Extinction Rebellion protest in Windsor starting on Friday 30th August.
“As many of you will be aware, Extinction Rebellion have planned a three-day protest in Windsor this weekend.
“While they have every right to conduct a peaceful protest, given what has unfolded at some of their previous events, I share many of your concerns that this event has the potential to cause significant disruption to the town and go beyond what it means to protest peacefully.
“I have discussed my concerns about the event with both the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and Thames Valley Police.
“RBWM have refused Extinction Rebellion permission to be present for three days. I welcome that decision and thank them for it. I am not aware of any planned road closures. You can read the Royal Borough’s full statement here - https://www.rbwm.gov.uk/news/2024/update-following-reports-demonstration-planned-windsor
“However, as you can read from the Extinction Rebellion website, it seems that despite this, they will stage the protest over three days anyway: https://extinctionrebellion.uk/upgrade-democracy/
“It is my view that if those involved go beyond the approved space in the park or beyond the timeframe which they have been made welcome then action should be taken. To my understanding, overstaying their welcome as planned would not be a criminal offence, but it would be a civil offence: As such, for the Police to take action, the Royal Borough would first have to take legal action. I call on the Royal Borough to prepare to take that legal action now, such that action could be taken as quickly as possible if necessary.
“I have also spoken to our Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber. Like me he recognises that Extinction Rebellion have the right to protest peacefully and has assured me that there will be an appropriate elevated Police presence in Windsor, with capacity to mobilise more if appropriate. I have asked that disruption which spills beyond the law: blocking roads, disrupting our town centre traders or aggravated trespass is policed as robustly as the police have the ability to. I am confident that TVP are taking this seriously.
“My message to Extinction Rebellion is that many, if not most, of my constituents share your concern that the threat of climate change demands a serious response by governments and businesses. I have spent my career in the renewable energy industry and we have drastically reduced the carbon intensity of our electricity system, whilst also electrifying other areas of the economy. We are the first G7 nation to halve our emissions and there is broad political support to move to Net Zero, but many of your actions do not ‘win hearts and minds’ and are not constructive. I urge you to respect the people of Windsor this weekend and work constructively with politicians at all levels as we move to Net Zero in a timeframe that respects livelihoods and an international context whereby the United Kingdom is responsible for less than 1% of global emissions.”
