Insulate Britain

One simple measure would be to revoke their driving licences if possible then they couldn't drive anywhere for a while.

JenniferEccles

Why don’t these protesters do something useful like volunteering to lay loft insulation for some any elderly people who would love to have it done but who would struggle to get up in the loft?
They could do the same for the poor as I am sure there are grants available for those who can’t afford it themselves.

In fact why don’t they do ANYTHING rather glue themselves to the M25.

Because doing work like loft insulation wouldn't be as much fun.

Why don’t these protesters do something useful like volunteering to lay loft insulation for some any elderly people who would love to have it done but who would struggle to get up in the loft?
They could do the same for the poor as I am sure there are grants available for those who can’t afford it themselves.

In fact why don’t they do ANYTHING rather glue themselves to the M25.

I gather from today's Telegraph that their latest tactic is to walk into the traffic holding placards, already taking place on the M25 in Essex.

If one gets killed then they will be held up as a martyr, not a disruptive idiot.

As I said earlier, why don't they channel their energy into positive actions not negative disruption which antagonises the general public?

Blondiescot

So you don't find their behaviour appalling then, Scones? I'm not surprised people use that kind of language, to be perfectly honest. If I was being prevented from going about my normal daily basis, or worse, stopped from getting to hospital or something similar, I'd be doing a hell of a lot more than just using 'appalling language'.

I didn't comment on the behaviour or the protestors Blondiescot. I entirely support their sentiment by I condemn their methods. There are many better and less destructive options open to them in order to win people over to their cause.

We've all seen where hateful language on line leads and I just want to make my position clear that as someone on Gransnet I find the suggestion of physical violence along the lines of 'give them a good kicking' deplorable.

Post after post by supposedly senior members of society threating 'more than just using appalling language'. Is that what you would recommend to your grandchildren? If we can't lead by example and use our brains for good not our fists for bad then what is the point of us?

Conviction rates may be low but that doesn't alter the fact that the police are being pro active vegansrock.

Imagine how a motorist would feel if they killed someone.

And if someone had to brake suddenly to avoid them wandering around and there was a pile-up.

Also imagine the outcry if one of the protesters got hurt, yet I feel they have been extremely lucky that this hasn't already happened.

I gather from today's Telegraph that their latest tactic is to walk into the traffic holding placards, already taking place on the M25 in Essex.
I once left an A34 traffic junction in heavy traffic to join the motorway to be confronted by a family of five whose car had crashed into the central reservation, walking across the motorway to the hard shoulder dragging a mangled bumper behind them. It was the most terrifying experience I ever encountered; a group of people including children in the middle of totally unprepared fast traffic suddenly having to screech to a halt.
Imagine how a motorist would feel if they killed someone.

These protesters have lost their grip on reality.

Completely agree ajswan
And while we’re about it, I would also make the three month prison sentence as unpleasant for them as possible.

I feel so cross about how many lives this mob have endangered by delaying their journey.

vegansrock

Are those who say “why don’t they go and protest in China” really thinking that argument through? How would a British protest group get to China? Who would fund that trip? Where would they stay? What about the language differences? Of course they aren’t going to “go to China “ it’s the most ridiculous statement. We have got to clean up our own act first - what you are really saying is “shut up and go away”. Which is fine, except they aren’t going to do that - we must all take environmental issues seriously and if it takes committed and legitimate protest to make us all sit up and take notice then that’s what will happen. We are definitely collectively dragging our feet while the environment degrades.

My point exactly, they are hardly committed passionate protesters are they. They are taking the easy way and just using their childish futile protests as a ‘jolly up’. I saw a news photo where there were ambulances that had to make detours to get patients to hospital. All these idiots have done is made themselves laughing stocks and achieved nothing. If a Grandchild of mine was stuck in an ambulance trying to get to a hospital then I am afraid I might result to violence and give the protesters a good kicking. The police should arrest them, take them away and there should be a mandatory three month prison sentence to make sure that they do not return to the protest. A lot of protests do involve anarchists and rent a mob who are just out to cause mayhem, usually left wing layabouts.

vegansrock

If you look at the statistics for convictions for using mobile phones whilst driving they are incredibly low - yet I can walk down the road and see people doing it daily.

There are multiple unmarked and visible police cars patrolling the M25 24 hours a day, there are many many speed cameras and traffic surveillance cameras also.

Maybe you should ask the traffic police under the freedom of information act how many speeding motorists are caught each day alongside those using their phones whilst using the M25 vegansrock ?

I presume people are just as scathing about mobile phone users who think it's ok to do so whilst driving.
They're idiots, and self entitled fools, too.

Oh yes, if in doubt, have a go at the police! How predictable...

If you look at the statistics for convictions for using mobile phones whilst driving they are incredibly low - yet I can walk down the road and see people doing it daily.

Vegansrock
I think you’ll find they have been doing that for some years now.

scones you’re not alone - the generalisations based on no evidence and completely wrong about these protesters ( no jobs, rentamob, crusties etc) almost amounts to hate speech. Yet criticise the critics for not doing enough themselves you get a complete pile on.

They do vegansrock.

Maybe the police should start arresting idiots using their mobile phones whilst driving, causing accidents and closing roads like the M25 on a daily basis.

What shocked me was how swiftly the police responded to the bagpipe player who was causing no disruption whatsoever, yet the rabble who consider it acceptable to hold up traffic for several hours were permitted to stay.

However the protesters’ behaviour over the past few months has alienated the majority of the population, so ultimately it’s all been a futile exercise.

I do wonder if IR have factored in the extra emissions and disruption to small roads and towns around the M25 as many hauliers, people travelling to work etc now actively avoid the motorway just in case IR swoop in and disrupt/stop traffic?

I know that our drivers are now avoiding the M25 wherever/whenever it’s possible, nice scenic routes for them but longer journeys and working hours, not so nice for the local roads as they become busier.

I should add, though, that the leader of the protests seems to be singularly passionless.

I do think the point someone made about Food Banks is a good ne.

If people feel passionately about something then it is a good thing to channel that passion in a positive way rather than negative and disrupt others going about their lawful business.

Starting a fund to help others insulate their homes, lobbying to ensure that councils and housing associations insulate their properties would be a far better way to channel that energy.

Disruptive protests have the opposite effect to what is needed.

Scones

Does anyone else find the hateful language and mentions of violence - gluing people to walls, turning hoses on them, laughing at ink being thrown in faces - on this thread appalling, or is it just me?

No, it's not just you, Scones. I haven't bothered with this thread because I just knew what the general response would be like. I read it through last night from curiosity and I was absolutely correct in my assumption. Grans at their very worst.

What's wrong with gluing the people who glue their hands to the road, to walls?

Good point Alegrias everyone has a carbon foot print don't they?

So you don't find their behaviour appalling then, Scones? I'm not surprised people use that kind of language, to be perfectly honest. If I was being prevented from going about my normal daily basis, or worse, stopped from getting to hospital or something similar, I'd be doing a hell of a lot more than just using 'appalling language'.