The Return of the Public?

I enjoyed reading at article on Al-Jazeera today on "The return of the Public?", found here:

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2010/12/201012187957340755.html
With:
 - Trade union leaders threatening widespread action,
 - Students and other supporters shouting "shame on you" at top of their lungs
 - Hundreds crowding into high street stores, not to buy, but to protest at rampant tax evasion in the UK
 and
 - Bankers poised to award themselves huge bonuses in a time of financial crisis caused directly by their actions

I wonder if they are right.  Has enough gone wrong, has enough been screwed up by the entire main stream political spectrum in the UK (Labour, Libs & Tories) and have enough decisions been in favour of the guilty instead of the victims, for the British public to at last stand up and say no more, I want my country back!

Peaceful Protest with Property Damage

In a recent discussion I had, protesters from the London protests over university funding were criticised for damaging property, specifically smashing in the windows of the Conservative party headquarters.  The fear caused to those inside the building was also pointed to.  I do not believe in violence as a way to solve problems but I found myself on the side of those causing the damage, not for the damage but for what it allowed, the occupation of the building.  My reason for this is as follows:

During a strike the strikers cause disruption and threaten disruption, this then causes the employer to take notice.  When people protest by marching they are not causing any disruption so force no attention from the government.  Protesters must find a means to cause disruption to the normal day to day activities of government, but in a way that causes absolutely no harm to another person.  Non-violence against other people is critical for credibility.  To me, the simplest way to cause this disruption is to occupy government buildings and prevent them from operating.  Often, I imagine, the only way this can be achieved is by forcing entry into these buildings.  This I'm sure is quite illegal and I'm not advocating it.  

What options are open to groups who want to cause direct hindrance to the government without causing damage to person or property?  Is this even worthwhile, or is it the case that political accountability is so low that the people have no power to influence government outside of an election?