Just Stop Oil activists blocked Parliament Square in central London on Wednesday, gluing themselves to the road. The demostration occurred as Prime Minister Andy Burnham made his first appearance at Prime Minister's Questions.
Sixty activists glued to Parliament Square
The protest saw approximately sixty supporters from Just Stop Oil fix themselves to the tarmac in central London, while an additional forty demonstrators provided support from the nearby pavement.. According to the report, the activists wore signature orange high-visibility vests and carried large banners, with one individual notably wearing a gas mask and holding a sign demanding an end to oil and gas.
The Metropolitan Police responded shortly after midday,deploying specialist officers to remove the protesters and coordinating with Transport for London to minimize traffic disruption. While the group blocked significant portions of the road, Just Stop Oil noted that they intentionally left one lane open to ensure emergency service vehicles could still pass through the area.
The North Sea drilling speculation that broke the March 2025 truce
This return to direct action follows a brief period of dormancy; Just Stop Oil had previously announced its dissolution in March 2025 after the government agreed to stop issuing new oil and gas licenses. however, as the report says, the group resumed its campaign due to speculation that Prime Minister Andy Burnham might reverse this stance and approve new drilling operations in the North Sea.
The timing of the protest was further driven by a United Nations report published on the same day, which warned that the planet is currently on track for at least 2°C of warming. This projection significantly exceeds the 1.5°C limit established by international climate agreements , providing the activists with fresh scientific urgency to pressure the UK government.
From Van Gogh paintings to a £20 million policing bill
The resurgence of Just Stop Oil brings back memories of a campaiign defined by high-profile disruption across the south of England. The group previously targeted cultural landmarks, most notably throwing tomato soup at a protected Van Gogh painting and defacing the ancient monument at Stonehenge. Other disruptive actions included trespassing at the Silverstone racing circuit and interrupting a Test match at Lord's cricket ground.
The financial and legal toll of these actions has been substantial. The Metropolitan Police estimated that operations related to these protests cost the force nearly £20 million in 2023 alone. Over the lifetime of the movement, more than 3,300 individuals were arrested and 180 were jailed before the group's temporary stand-down earlier this year.
The Fossil Fuel Treaty and the uncertainty of Burnham's strategy
Beyond the immediate protest, Just Stop Oil is demanding that the UK government sign a Fossil Fuel Treaty and permanently halt all further oil and gas developments. Trish Fitzmaurice, a mother from Norfolk and one of the protesters, explicitly called for leadership from Andy Burnham , describing the climate crisis as the most significant threat humanity has ever encountered.
It remains unclear if this Wednesday event marks a return to the regular, disruptive pattern of protests that characterized the group's earlier phase. The central question now is whether Prime Minister Andy Burnham will offer concrete guarantees against North Sea drilling or if his administration will face a prolonged campaign of civil disobedience from Just Stop Oil.
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