Demonstrators held a candle-lit protest in Reading against ‘the most draconian piece of legislation since the second world war’ yesterday (Monday).

Around 40 people from Extinction Rebellion, the Green Party, Berkshire for Europe and Unite took to Broad Street to voice their opposition to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

The Bill, which limits citizens’ ability to protest, was being consider by the House of Lords at the same time, who voted down 14 proposals by the Government.

A protestor and member of Berkshire for Europe, who did not wished to be named, said: “Protests and disagreeing with the Government are part of our rights and to remove that is not democracy.

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“The problem with parliament is it is a law unto itself. It’s sovereign and I think we’ve got to be able to say ‘you’re doing something wrong’ because power brings arrogance and power corrupts.”

“You’ve seen it in the Tory party. I’m an ex-Tory. I think it’s sad, the decline in our democratic standards.”

The police and crime bill would allow police chiefs to impose start and finish times on protests, set noise limits and fine individuals £2,500 for refusing to follow police directions.

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It criminalises ‘causing a public nuisance’ as well as failure to follow restrictions the protesters "ought" to have known about, even if they have not received a direct order from an officer.

Molly Fletcher, Reading coordinator for Extinction Rebellion, which initiated the demonstration, said fighting the legislation was more important than any individual political viewpoint.

“We were there to show a united front in the face of what is the most draconian piece of legislation since before the second world war.

“You know the bit in the film where you’re saying ‘why doesn’t somebody do something’? Well that is now.

“This is the time when all citizens have to realise that if we don’t protect our rights they will be taken away from us.”

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, the House of Lords rejected giving police officers powers to stop and search anyone at a protest “without suspicion” for items used to prevent a person being moved.

They voted down a move that would allow individuals with a history of causing serious disruption to be banned by the courts from attending certain protests.

Peers backed restricting the imposition of tougher sentences for blocking a highway to major routes and motorways rather than all roads.

“We will reflect on last night’s votes before the Bill returns to the Commons,” the Prime Minister’s spokesman said.

He added: “It is disappointing the Lords did not back the public order measures that will ensure the everyday lives of the overwhelming majority are not disrupted by a selfish minority of protesters whose actions endanger lives and cost the public millions of pounds.”

The mauling of the Tory administration’s plans sets the stage for a protracted parliamentary tussle known as ping-pong, where legislation passes between the Lords and the Commons until agreement can be reached.