CROSS-PARTY MPs handed in petitions backed by more than 40,000 people today condemning controversial government plans to ban demonstrations based on their “cumulative disruption.”

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) has called a protest outside Parliament against the introduction of the sweeping new powers as they return for a Commons debate and vote at 6pm tomorrow.

More than 45 civil liberty groups, including the TUC, Liberty and Greenpeace, have opposed the measures in a government amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill.

They were introduced as the Bill was debated in the Lords, prompting more than 30 Labour, Green, Your Party and Independent MPs to back a further amendment to have them removed. 

Labour MP Andy McDonald, who tabled the amendment, said: “Protest has never been a one-off event — it is often the cumulative effect of people returning, again and again, to make their voices heard that drives change.

“These proposals risk turning that democratic strength into a justification for restriction.

“We already have extensive powers to deal with serious disruption. What is being proposed here goes further, allowing the regular exercise of democratic rights to be used against those exercising them. 

“That is not a balance — it is a shift away from fundamental freedoms, and it is why we are urging colleagues to support this motion.”

PSC deputy director Ryvka Barnard said: “This proposal should alarm everyone who believes that democratic freedoms must be defended. 

“The right to protest, including in solidarity with the Palestinian people, is a precious democratic principle under threat from this government, and it must be defended.”