Picking up the Bill: the words on the streets of Bristol

As I kid, I remember the double entendre placed upon the street signage: ‘Bill Stickers Will Be Prosecuted!’ under which was daubed, ‘Bill Stickers is innocent!’

A funny play on words but illustrative of the power of English language. Last night in Bristol a demonstration labelled ‘Kill the Bill’ reminded me of this flexibility of interpretation. As an ex-cop, I initially recalled the more graphic chants of ‘Kill the Pigs’, as remembered by PC Coombes, as a prelude to the murder of PC Keith Blakelock during rioting at the Broadwater Farm estate in London on 6th October 1985. The majority of those that marched in Bristol were in fact protesting against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill 2021 which has begun its path through Parliament in The House of Commons.

(Photo by Alex McCarthy on Unsplash)

The rightful condemnation for the ensuing and despicable violence against the police has already been made. I can only add my utmost disapproval to the utter barbarity which followed a hitherto peaceful protest engaging with several hundred people congregating outside of Bridewell Police Station during the afternoon. In a later statement by Police, Chief Superintendent Will White said, “What started out as a peaceful protest has been turned by a small minority into a violent disorder.”

You may ask why this event even took place during the COVID-19 restrictions when public association is presently under the strictest of measures? However, if just making something illegal prohibited breaches why are the prisons full? Talking to a reformed armed robber once, he smiled when I naively suggested that you could not murder someone to which he replied, “You can do whatever you want as long as you can handle the consequences.”

I am regrettably not surprised that there was trouble, albeit I must admit that the ferocity of the unabated violence pitted against the police significantly exceeded my expectations. It was truly shocking.

I am an avid supporter of the ideal of peaceful protest for many good and justifiable reasons. I have policed many demonstrations. Some without incident, many with. The early 1980’s miner’s dispute contains my most vivid memories. Yet not every miner was intent on causing trouble. Most had legitimate grievances, but many observers will remember the protests as ugly and violent.

Last night not everyone who decided to break cover and the COVID-19 regulations were intent on causing trouble. Ignoring those that chose to actively participate in harm is difficult, but extremists, agent provocateurs, and organised criminal gangs have their own agendas.

Unusually I would like to give some airtime to those people who really did believe in the literal interpretation of the statement ‘Kill the Bill’. I know it’s not on most people’s schedules of fun and entertainment but have a flick through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill 2021. As the holder of a qualifying law degree I often like to don my anorak and have a gander at the small print as, should it receive Royal assent, it affects us all.

On many occasions, I have been accused of being annoying and causing serious inconvenience. Within the context of section 59 (2) – ‘an act or omission causes serious harm to a person if, as a result, the person’ – is aggravated in the same manner leaves me a little hesitant to exhibit such inherent behaviour outside the confines of my front door.

Is that really the British way of doing things? Is this Bill seeking a legal remedy that enshrines the notion of using a hammer to crack a walnut? I remain apprehensive. But what do I know? And if you aren’t inclined to pour yourself a drink and settle down to read the existing 307 pages of the Bill then drop your local Member of Parliament an email to ensure they have, since that is their job.

As for Bill Stickers he always looked a little shifty to me.

© Ian Kirke 2021

Title Photo by Flavio Gasperini on Unsplash