Key Points
- Around 30 Just Stop Oil activists staged a demonstration by sitting and lying across the road near Parliament Square, Westminster, in central London.
- The disruption was strategically timed to coincide with Andy Burnham’s first Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) since taking office.
- The high-profile demonstration brought central London traffic to a complete standstill, forcing buses out of service and requiring police vans to block nearby roads.
- Demonstrators held placards displaying messages such as “no gas, no oil”, “for national security’s sake, just stop oil”, and “for kid’s sake, just stop oil”.
- Group spokesman Cameron Ford stated that the protest aimed to send a message that “Just Stop Oil is back” while challenging upcoming decisions on oil and gas projects.
- The Metropolitan Police deployed specialist officers to the scene, clearing members from the road and working alongside Transport for London (TfL) to ease travel disruptions.
London (Extra London News) September 2, 2026 — Traffic ground to a complete standstill outside the British parliament on Wednesday afternoon as climate campaign group Just Stop Oil staged a high-visibility demonstration to coincide with Andy Burnham’s very first Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) in his new post. Approximately 30 protesters occupied the carriageway by sitting and lying directly in the road near Parliament Square in Westminster, central London, aiming to send a direct political message to the new Prime Minister.
As reported by Flora Thompson, Home Affairs Correspondent for the Press Association, and covered extensively by The Standard, the mid-day action caused immediate transport gridlock. Local buses were forced out of service and parked across the street, while police containment vans quickly blocked surrounding access routes as law enforcement officials descended upon the location shortly after midday to execute arrests.
Why did Just Stop Oil target Andy Burnham’s first PMQs?
According to group spokesman Cameron Ford, speaking to the Press Association and cited by The Standard, the timing of the demonstration was deliberate. The action was coordinated precisely with Mr. Burnham’s debut PMQs session because the new administration faces critical decisions regarding whether to approve additional fossil fuel projects.
As detailed in reports by The News Digital, the group’s return to the streets marks a significant escalation in climate protests following a period of relative dormancy since April 2025. The activists are aggressively demanding that the government sign a binding international fossil fuel treaty and halt the endorsement of all future oil and gas ventures.
As reported by Flora Thompson of the Press Association, Mr. Ford stated:
“We’re saying: stop putting fuel on the fire. We’ve all experienced crazy heat this summer and we don’t want it to get worse, so stop adding to the problem.”
Other demonstrators supporting the road blockade leaned over metal barriers from the sidelines, hoisting prominent banners reading “no gas, no oil”, “for national security’s sake, just stop oil”, and “for kid’s sake, just stop oil”.
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How did Just Stop Oil respond to political critics and government warnings?
During the demonstration, group spokesman Cameron Ford took direct aim at public figures downplaying environmental risks, as well as criticizing official government safety communications.
When asked by the Press Association for his reaction to comments made the previous month by Reform UK’s Richard Tice—who urged the public to “enjoy” warm weather, reduce “doom and gloom”, and suggested that the UK could boost English sparkling wine production to “take on the French”—Mr. Ford offered a scathing response.
As reported by Flora Thompson of the Press Association, Mr. Ford emphasized that agricultural workers were among those actively participating in the protest. Mr. Ford stated:
“They are really struggling, fields are getting set on fire, crops are just dying. Tell Richard Tice to just do one.”
Furthermore, Mr. Ford turned his criticism toward official state emergency measures, dismissing a recent government text alert warning citizens about potential wildfires and advising against the use of disposable barbecues. He characterized the advisory alert as purely “performative”, adding that it
“makes me feel like there’s no hope for this lot, actually (the current Government)”.
What was the official response from the Metropolitan Police?
The Metropolitan Police mobilized a swift operational response to clear the infrastructure blockage in Westminster. Specialist units were dispatched to handle the non-compliant activists who had glued or positioned themselves firmly on the asphalt.
In an official statement released to media outlets including The Standard and The News Digital, the Metropolitan Police stated:
“Officers are currently on scene and continue to engage with a group of people, believed to be Just Stop Oil supporters.”
The police update further confirmed:
“Specialist officers have been deployed, and some members of the group have been removed from the road. We are working closely with partners including TfL to reduce disruption in the area for Londoners.”
As law enforcement officers carried detained protesters into waiting police vans, traffic management teams worked to restore normalcy to Parliament Square, though the protest successfully ensured that the new Prime Minister’s arrival in office was met with immediate, high-intensity friction over the nation’s energy policy.
