Assessing the Right to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly in Post-Pandemic, Post-Brexit Britain through the Lens of the 2022–2023 Public Sector Strikes

Abstract

Abstract Britain is currently seeing the most coordinated public sector strike action since the 1970s. In a post-pandemic, post-Brexit Britain, the general public are going through a cost-of-living crisis, with the rate of inflation rising and real-term pay cuts. This, paired with growing restrictions on the right of peaceful assembly through the passing of oppressive policing bills, means that people are increasingly turning to unions and striking to get their voices heard. This article highlights the push-factors leading to the 2022–2023 Public Sector Strikes through a socio-political analysis of democracy and power in post-pandemic, post-Brexit Britain, whilst capturing the voices of those striking and on picket lines.