What are the circumstances in which it is right to smash up a building? When might one justifiably destroy an artwork? And what are the conditions under which one might splinter someone’s spine with a sledgehammer?

Many on the left seem to have satisfied themselves on all these questions. But I wonder if they have even begun to reckon with the consequences.

One can only hope that those who urge on ‘direct action’ have no idea how slippery a slope they are on

One can only hope that those who urge on ‘direct action’ have no idea how slippery a slope they are on

Back in 2019 a group of activists from Extinction Rebellion took their views on fossil fuels to Belvedere Road in central London. There, at the site of the Shell building, they smashed windows, spray-painted walls and caused other criminal damage. At their subsequent trial at Southwark Crown Court, the judge instructed the jury that the accused had no defence in law. The jury acquitted them anyway, having apparently decided it is permissible to smash a building up if said building belongs to an oil and gas company.

As the years go on it becomes ever clearer that this country could have done with an energy policy which did not demonise oil and gas. But once it is decided that the headquarters of Shell, BP and any other energy company are fair game, you tilt the balance. Suddenly ‘activists’ become the provisional wing of the net-zero zealots and ‘direct action’ takes a step into acceptability.

Fast-forward a few years to March 2024 and it was a........

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