Over 30 buskers went to the last full Westminster Council meeting of the year to speak to councillors and support an emergency question asked on their behalf. Image credit: ©The MU.
Buskers in Westminster are campaigning for new viable and accessible pitches following a court ruling banning busking in Leicester Square – and the festive closure of the Trafalgar Square pitch.
As part of their campaign, over 30 buskers went to the last full Westminster Council meeting of the year to speak to councillors and support an emergency question asked on their behalf.
As a result, buskers secured strong support from councillors on the way in, a further meeting with councillors, and a general statement of support for busking in Westminster and the West End.
Backed by Labour, Conservatives and Greens
The commitments follow an emergency question in support of the buskers from Conservative Councillor Tim Mitchell.
It demonstrates the wide cross-party support for busking in London, including Labour MPs Dawn Butler and Bell Ribeiro-Addy, and London Assembly Member and Green Party Leader Zack Polanski.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan expressed support for busking in the capital in response to a recent question on busking in Westminster, saying, “I fully support the Council’s appeal against the abatement notice, along with all efforts to ensure performers have access to viable and high-profile pitches across the city".
“It is important that solutions are found so that busking can continue to be a meaningful, sustainable career and Londoners can benefit from their contribution to our capital,” the Mayor continued.
The campaign has also been endorsed by social media sensation Luke Silva – who has over two million followers on TikTok and YouTube.