Just Stop Oil Secures Labour Party Support for its Core Demand

Since its founding in early 2022, Just Stop Oil (JSO) has had one primary, common-sense demand: No new oil and gas drilling in the UK’s North Sea. 

Through repeated disruptive protests, including blockading oil terminals, shutting down major roads, and cultural disruptions such as throwing soup on (covered) paintings and interrupting sports events, JSO has pushed its demand to the top of the political conversation in the UK, fundamentally changing how the public perceives the issue and putting immense pressure on the British government.

Now, that pressure is starting to bear fruit: in late May 2023, the Labour Party announced that if it returns to power, it will block all future oil and gas development in the North Sea. Given that Labour is likely to win the next UK election, it seems like only a matter of time before JSO’s demand is met. JSO also appears to be following the same victory trajectory as its predecessor, Insulate Britain, who won their demand in 2022 less than one year after the Labour Party expressed its support.

Despite endless criticism of its tactics, JSO has proven that disruptive protest can build unstoppable power for climate justice. If and when their demand is adopted by the British government, it will be a gamechanger for the global climate movement.