Sir Oliver has raised concerns in the House of Commons about the lack of police action to close Potters Bar High Street for the Remembrance Sunday service earlier this month. 

On the day, volunteers from the local Royal British Legion branch were left responsible for managing traffic and, with no legal authority, were reliant on the public’s goodwill. They spoke with Sir Oliver to raise the view that police should have responsibility in this area and should commit to marshalling future Remembrance Sunday services. Sir Oliver shared their concerns and agreed to take this matter forward.

During Oral Questions to the Home Secretary, Sir Oliver said, “Local volunteers in Potters Bar were left struggling on Remembrance Sunday to stop the traffic to allow the march to take place.  

They were told by the police that they lacked the resources and the power to stop the traffic, yet on the same day in neighbouring Essex the police managed to visit a journalist regarding a deleted tweet. And every weekend, vast amounts of resources pour into London for pro-Palestinian marches.  

Does the Home Secretary share the despair of my constituents at this allocation of resources, and will she provide guidance for next year’s Remembrance service, both on police powers and the responsibilities regarding those marches?” 

Sir Oliver has also written to Hertfordshire Constabulary on this issue.