Prime Minister seeks to limit protests and marches
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 2
Prime Minister seeks to limit protests and marches
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 2
In a BBC interview, Keir Starmer linked the push to Wednesday's attack on two Jewish men in Golders Green and to repeated demonstrations affecting Jewish communities.
He said ministers must balance protest rights with public safety and tackle slogans such as "globalise the intifada", as Lord Macdonald's review of public order and hate crime laws nears publication.
The government also faces two central London protests on 16 May, while Starmer argued war involving Iran makes Britain more vulnerable economically and requires closer cooperation with Europe.
As new laws target protest slogans, where does Britain now draw the line between legitimate political dissent and hate speech?
With Iran-linked terror groups now striking in Britain, how can the nation combat this new era of deniable, hybrid warfare?
As the Iran war chokes global oil, can the UK's strategic pivot to Europe shield its economy from impending catastrophe?
NSW Court Invalidates PARD Laws, Restoring Protest Rights After 54 Days of Restrictions
Overview
Following a deadly terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in December 2025, the New South Wales government swiftly enacted the Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (PARD) laws, granting police broad powers to limit protests across Greater Sydney. These laws were used to impose a months-long ban on public assemblies, including during large protests related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a high-profile diplomatic visit. However, in April 2026, the NSW Court of Appeal struck down the PARD laws, ruling they unlawfully restricted the constitutional right to political communication. This landmark decision invalidated protest restrictions, undermined related charges, and forced the government to seek alternative, more targeted measures to balance public safety with democratic freedoms.