Climate activists have superglued themselves around the Speaker’s chair in the House of Commons chamber.
Extinction Rebellion said its supporters have launched a protest in Parliament in support of a “Citizens’ Assembly” to help deliver change.
The campaign group posted a photo on Twitter showing three members hand in hand in front of the seat, with two other members holding up signs.
One read “Let the people decide” and the other said “Citizens’ Assembly now”.
BREAKING NEWS: Extinction Rebellion supporters have superglued around the Speakers Chair inside the commons chamber.
Right now inside Parliament a speech is being read out demanding a Citizens' Assembly Now: “We are in crisis. We can not afford to carry on like this…" pic.twitter.com/JqKBasRaCH
— Extinction Rebellion UK 🌍 (@XRebellionUK) September 2, 2022
The group wrote: “Extinction Rebellion supporters have superglued around the Speaker’s chair inside the Commons chamber.
“Right now inside Parliament a speech is being read out demanding a Citizens’ Assembly now: ‘We are in crisis. We can not afford to carry on like this’.”
The group says they are protesting against “the corruption deep in the heart of Westminster.”
The speech read out in the chamber said: “We are in crisis. And what goes on in this chamber every day makes a joke out of us all. We can not afford to carry on like this.
“It is possible to act on climate and costs in a way that is fair and supports everyone.
“But our political system is too out of date and out of touch to see beyond the next election cycle and do what needs to be done.
“We need a new way of making decisions, where more voices are heard, not just those at the top. We need the true diversity of the country to be represented.
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“We need a Citizens’ Assembly, now. Citizens’ Assemblies empower ordinary people to make decisions that benefit everyone. Decisions that can get us out of this mess and make life better, safer, fairer for all of us.”
In July this year the High Court ruled that the UK Government’s pathway to net zero is unlawful because it is so lacking in detail and crucial information, it has not been possible to hold them to account.
Recent polling by Ipsos also found that eight out of ten people in the UK are concerned about the climate crisis and over 52% think the government’s plan to get to net zero by 2050 is too late.
Both candidates to become the UK’s next Prime Minister – Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak – have said they plan to increase production of new fossil fuels, despite warnings from scientists and the UK experiencing temperatures of 40C for the first time this summer.
The Commons and Lords are currently in recess until Monday.
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