‘I don’t like it!’

It can’t have escaped your notice that Extinction Rebellion have been making a nuisance of themselves.

Now, I don’t intend to comment on the value or otherwise of what they are seeking to do – I will leave you to judge for yourselves. All I really want to point to is the means by which they are making their point.

As a former Trade Union member and avowed leftist, I have no problem whatsoever with a peaceful but disruptive demonstration. What value is a protest if it doesn’t cause some inconvenience? It is toothless and no sort of bargaining tactic. So, I can see why Extinction Rebellion have chosen to make their point this way (notwithstanding the value of the point they are making – another column for another day by another columnist, I think!) But it bears noting that many of our elected representatives, along with those in the media, are largely supportive of what the protestors want. This has led some to suggest that they are making life hard for ordinary people who can do nothing about their demands when those in any position to help are, essentially, in agreement with them.