ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Insulate Britain Say People 'Don't Understand' Why They Block The Roads

Insulate Britain Say People 'Don't Understand' Why They Block The Roads

Insulate Britain have been disrupting British roads in protest at Boris Johnson's government.

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

A spokesperson for Insulate Britain has said the public 'don't understand' the reasons why they are protesting in motorways properly, and has explained what it will take for them to bring an end to the disruption.

The group of climate activists, who are associated with Extinction Rebellion, have been causing disruption on the UK's roads for some time now, asking for the government to take decisive action on the climate crisis, as well as insulating all homes in Britain to help efforts to preserve the planet.

However, recently they have been met with anger from those inconvenienced by their protests, as well as receiving negative media attention for blocking the roads to emergency vehicles and stopping people from attending hospital appointments.

Insulate Britain activists are removed by police.
Alamy

Tracey Mallaghan, who has herself taken part in two roadblocks and spent a week in prison as a result, explained: "You need to disrupt the general public to break through the media deadlock.

"I really didn't want to believe that [and] I don't want to be doing that.

"We've tried all of this stuff over two years, [but] we're not getting fair media coverage.

"Insulate Britain was set up to disrupt the public because you have to disrupt enough normal people that the media then as no choice but to report on it.

"Then, it has to cost the government money, which blocking the motorway does. That's the arteries of this 'business as usual' that is killing us."

Whilst most agree that climate action must be taken, some disagree with Insulate Britain's methods.
Alamy

In response to the anger that their protesting has been met by, as well as the reports of people stuck in the traffic seeking medical treatment, Mallaghan continued: "Mostly, it breaks my heart.

"In that moment if you're trying to get to a job interview or to hospital, of course that anger is totally understandable.

"What we're hoping is that when you get home - especially if you're going back to a cosy home, and you're not one of the seven million people choosing between heating and eating - people will take a break and try to think beyond the narrative that the media is spinning.

"Everyone wants to talk about what we're doing, we need to talk about why.

"It genuinely breaks my heart. I would apologise to those people, even though I'm sure they don't want to hear it at the time.

"I can't get out of my head what the science says - 95 percent chance we're going [temperatures will rise] over two degrees.

"Nobody would get on a plane that had a 95 percent chance of crashing.

"A two degree world means my kids future is very unsteady, it means famine, drought, war, a billion people on the move, and everything that war means.

"I'm terrified."

Insulate Britain activists have shut down motorways such as the M25 in protest.
Alamy

Tracey added: "People don't understand that the way we're living our lives every day is harmful to our children, and we have to stop it.

"Humans, we're tricky [and] sometimes we need telling, and sometimes we need to make agreements on behalf of everybody, to do the right thing, and that's what we need to do here.

"Insulating isn't all we need to do, but it would be a bloody good start.

"The government funding it and showing that they can do it without putting the poor into even more poverty means that we can get on with all the other jobs in the same vein as well."

The group have been causing disruption on the roads and motorways of Britain, and - so long as the government refuses to address their demands - that seems set to continue.

Asked what could bring about the end of the protests, Tracey explained: "As soon as the government makes a meaningful statement that they're actually going to start getting on with the job of insulating our homes, and doing it in a fair and proper way.

"Or, when they put us in prison.

"That's what it'll take."

Many Insulate Britain activists have been arrested for their actions.
Alamy

She added: "[The government must present] a legitimate plan in place to get on with the job of insulating and retrofitting our homes to lower our emissions by 15 percent.

"To get seven million people out of fuel poverty, and to stop thousands of people dying this winter.

"At least 10,000 people are going to die this winter in the sixth richest country in the world.

"It's a bloody disgrace. It's an absolute disgrace. Either get on with the job or lock us up."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: World News, UK News, climate change, Politics