Media Confidential Are we losing our civil liberties?
Jan 5, 2026
Conor Gearty, a barrister and human rights law professor at the London School of Economics, dives into pressing issues surrounding civil liberties. He argues that Britain is leaning towards a 'middle covert authoritarianism' and critiques Labour's approach to policing protests. Conor discusses the disproportionate reactions to left- versus right-wing protests and warns about the dangers of withdrawing from the ECHR, which could erode essential human rights. He expresses concern about the chilling effects of banning groups like Palestine Action on democratic freedoms.
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Cultural Shift Against Protest
- Conor Gearty argues Britain now shows communal rejection of protest and contrary views in ways he hadn't seen before.
- This cultural shift has fed political resistance to protest and encouraged intrusive direct action as protesters escalate to get noticed.
Politics Favors The Status Quo
- Political leaders and institutions are institutionally committed to the status quo and often hostile to protest because they secured power through ballots.
- That distance from active protest history among MPs helps explain Parliament's lesser sympathy for disruptive demonstrators.
Generational Divide On Protest
- Younger people view protest as important and deserving protection, contrasting with the older 'middle' who find protest merely irritating.
- That generational divide explains why recent waves (e.g., Palestine) have strong youth-driven energy and resilience.
