Public Order Act 2023

Key Points

• The Act has completed its passage in Parliament and received Royal Assent, making it law.
• It updates public order offences and police powers during protests and large gatherings.
• There were multiple Lords amendments and Commons votes on whether to disagree with those amendments during the bill’s passage.
• The Conservative Party and allied groups generally supported the bill, while Labour and most other opposition parties opposed it.
• It originated in the House of Commons and is now in force as a completed Act.

Progress

Having received Royal Assent, the bill has completed its parliamentary journey and is now enacted into law; no further parliamentary steps are required.

Voting

Overall, the government-backed Conservatives (and allied groups) voted in favour, while Labour and most opposition parties voted against. Small parties such as Reform UK supported, whereas Liberal Democrats, SNP and others largely opposed; Sinn Féin and the Speaker’s position are noted as non-standard or mixed.