Graham Birse: ‘Enough is enough, a treasured oasis in our busy city centre looks like a war zone’

YOU’VE made your point, now go. If an application was to come before the City of Edinburgh Council for St Andrew Square to be converted into a camping ground for an assortment of protesters and homeless people to take up residence, I think we could reasonably expect it to be turned down.

So why are we prepared to tolerate the hijacking of one of our most precious public spaces for a purpose as uncertain as it is eccentric?

Let’s be clear. The right to engage in legitimate protest is a fundamental expression of our liberty and one of the fundamental principles of our civilisation. In countries like Syria, very brave people are prepared to risk their lives to confront the alternative.

We may all hold strong views about inequality, poverty and the weaknesses in our political and economic systems. In times of hardship, particularly, these frustrations are manifest in strikes, protests and political debate. Provided this is conducted in a lawful and peaceful manner, we should respect its legitimacy.

The problem with Occupy Edinburgh is it is difficult to determine exactly what the protesters’ objectives and demands are, other than an altruistic desire to exchange capitalism with something more egalitarian.

Meanwhile, a treasured public oasis in the centre of our busy city begins to look like the scene from a war zone. And who will pick up the bill to restore it to the condition it was in before the protesters took up residence? Well, you will, Edinburgh taxpayer.

Enough is enough. It is time for the protesters to move on. What began as a spontaneous local protest in response to a global movement has become the Edinburgh city centre headquarters of the militant, the eccentric and the vulnerable. St Andrew Square should be restored to its former purpose and the protesters negotiate with the city to find a new location, or perhaps pack it in.

• Graham Birse is director of policy and communication, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.