The End of an Era: Scrapping of Political Violence Adviser Role Raises Concerns

Lord Walney, formerly the government’s independent adviser on political violence, has seen his role abolished, prompting calls for heightened measures to protect citizens from disruptive protests. Appointed during Boris Johnson’s tenure, he had previously recommended enhanced police powers to curb protests outside Parliament, including the banning of groups such as Palestine Action and Just Stop Oil. In his departure announcement on social media, he emphasized the need for stronger protections against threats to democracy and public order from extreme protestors. Additionally, he pointed to the stresses placed on police resources by ongoing protests, particularly citing the cumulative impact of weekly Gaza demonstrations as out of sync with public sentiment.

The responsibilities of his position will shift to the commissioner for countering extremism, a role currently held by Robin Simcox, whose term ends in July. Simcox has previously raised alarms over anti-Semitism in relation to pro-Palestinian protests, comments that drew backlash from activist groups. The Home Office expressed gratitude for Lord Walney’s contributions, assuring that his insights will continue to shape the government’s approach to countering political violence and disruption.

Lord Walney, a critic of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, left the party due to its alleged drift to the hard left and its handling of anti-Semitic incidents. As the government seeks a new commissioner for countering extremism, the debate around balancing the right to protest with public safety and order remains a contentious issue in UK politics.