A headshot of Dawn Butler wearing a tartan blazer. Image credit: Dawn Butler ©House of Commons.
Sharing her support on Bluesky, Dawn Butler MP (Brent East) said: “London is bursting with culture & community and music is at the heart of it. Busking is a long-standing tradition in Westminster that must be protected.”
She also shared MU members’ petition with a call to “Back our buskers.”
Sign the petition to show your support
Calling for new viable and accessible busking pitches
Buskers in London are campaigning for new, viable pitches in Westminster to replace the busking pitch lost in Leicester Square.
In particular, they would Westminster Council to provide a pitch in Piccadilly Circus to ensure that they can make a comparable living in a place that's accessible and safe for buskers and for the public.
The campaign follows a City of London Magistrates Court ruling that described busking in Leicester Square as a “statutory nuisance” and compared it to “psychological torture techniques.” The ruling effectively banned busking in the area, silencing musicians and setting a dangerous precedent in London and across the UK.
Our thanks to Dawn Butler for her support
Other public figures to back the campaign include busker and social media star Luke Silva, and Zack Polanski (London Assembly member and Green Party leader).
They join over 1600 people who have signed the petition so far.
The campaign is also supported by Equity and Westminster Street Performers Association (WSPA).
🎶 London is bursting with culture & community and music is at the heart of it. Busking is a long-standing tradition in Westminster that must be protected. 🎤 Back our musicians - @wearethemu.bsky.social Sign the petition 👇🏾 www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/we...
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— Dawn Butler MP (@dawnbutlerbrent.bsky.social) 24 September 2025 at 16:53