LONDON: Following the mayhem of Southport a cohort of anti-racism folk attracted others with cultural division grievances and angry confrontations began in other areas.
All people can talk about for the past week are the “riots”. “Blame” is being thrown left and right and at social media, unsurprisingly there are good and bad actors on all sides.
It all started with the monstrous murder of three little girls in Southport. A middle aged woman from Cheshire named Ms. Spofforth has been arrested for posting a tweet falsely naming the murderer and his asylum-seeker origins; she ended the post with “if this is true”. Channel3Now picked up the fake-news and it went viral, on the way collecting a group of far-right anti-illegal immigration protestors, thus the rioting began. Shortly afterwards, Judge Andrew Menary KC ruled in favour of lifting the reporting restrictions of the actual murderer, a nearly 18-year-old named as Axel Rudakubana, born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents. How Ms Spofforth came to know the misinformation or what was Axel Rudakubana’s motive has not yet been revealed. Rudakubana’s first court appearance for 3 murders, 10 attempted murders and carrying a knife, will be on 25th at Liverpool Crown Court, the provisional trial date is set for 25 January 2025.
Following the mayhem of Southport a cohort of anti-racism folk attracted others with cultural division grievances and angry confrontations began in other areas. The so called far-right have had enough of illegal immigrants being dumped in their neighbourhoods, which are already struggling economically and with poor job prospects for young people, the radical right-wingers devalue the genuine concerns of the mainstream who feel neglected by successive governments. Since 2010, neither David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss nor Rishi Sunak have succeeded in achieving political leadership to tackle this contentious space, with only Boris Johnson making an attempt with his short lived “levelling-up” pledge. The right-wing want an end to endless illegal migration and hospitality to asylum seekers which is changing the demographic in their neighbourhoods, while the left wing that also seems to include the Tory Treasury, believe that endless migration is the answer to economic growth.
This week Sir Keir Starmer’s honeymoon is over, at the time of writing 2 COBR meetings in as many days have been convened. COBR or COBRA is the acronym for the Civil Contingencies Committee, convened in the Cabinet Office, with different departments and agencies, to respond to matters of national emergency or major disruption.
Starmer says these were not protests, they were violence organised by thugs. He has announced a “standing army” of 6,000 public duty officers, that can be deployed anywhere at any time to deal with future attacks on mosques or Muslim communities; since the start of the riots about 500 people have been arrested with 159 charged. This swift prosecution response is considered an effective deterrent.
Something similar for republishing material online deemed as inciting hatred, this was announced by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Starmer was in this position in 2008-2013. The Director, Stephen Parkinson, said dedicated police officers were scouring social media looking for this material. Ms Spofforth was arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred and posting inaccurate information on social media. The Crown Prosecution Service have published a warning on X that online incitement that leads to violence or hatred is illegal.
Elon Musk, proprietor of X, has been trolling Starmer with the meme of “two-tier Kier” for his approach to policing and free speech.
Some sources have commented that Labour are playing a cynical game of identity politics by polarising the debate around people’s genuine concerns about levels of immigration, they hope to recover some of the Muslim votes lost to independents,.
TORY LEADERSHIP UPDATE
Rishi Sunak remains leader of the Conservatives until 2 November, after the final ballot. Suella Braverman decided not to contest. The six candidates are Tom Tugendhat, Priti Patel, Robert Jenrick, Mel Stride, James Cleverly, and Kemi Badenoch; each one needed a proposer, a seconder and eight nominations to proceed to the next ballot. Over the parliamentary summer recess the candidates will set out their unique selling points to the Conservative Party membership at events and hustings across the country. When Parliament returns on 4 September, Conservative MPs will narrow the field down to four candidates through a series of Parliamentary hustings. The semi-final four will be announced on Wednesday, 11 September, then will make their case to members at the Conservative Conference. After Conference the Parliamentary Party will whittle the field down to the final two candidates.
All six believe they are the one to transform and unite the party and to bring back trust.
Let’s look briefly at each:
Robert Jenrick, former Immigration Minister has made immigration his platform, sometimes accused of divisive language on this subject, most Tory right wingers gravitate towards him; no stranger to controversy whilst previously Secretary for Housing, Communities and Local Government, confronts anti-Semitism and well connected in Israel. Presently, he leads the polls but will he gather enough Parliamentary support to get to the final 2; he is an either/or with Kemi Badenoch.
Mel Stride, former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, an entrepreneur with real life business experience can be described as a good all-rounder, strong on education and training and farming, he has a south-west rural constituency. Previously leader of the Commons and Treasury Select Committee believes he has the skills to unit he party.
James Cleverly, former Foreign Secretary and former Home Secretary, refused to allow Shamima Begum back into UK but usually talks and walks the middle line. Wants to crack down on social media stirring up violence, continue to support Ukraine, he is vociferous at holding Starmer to account whilst in opposition.
Dame Priti Patel former Home Secretary, veteran Conservative and Brexiteer is what it says on the tin, Boris Johnson supporter- architect of the Rwanda plan- free markets- opportunities for all and promising rewards for loyal members, including a shout in electing the next Tory Chairman who currently appointed by the leader of the party. Patel is in the top 3.
Tom Tugendhat former Security Minister and a former army reserve officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, a Remainer in 2016, left of centre, sanctioned by China- he has said Russia and China want to make the UK a “divided Britain”, he is a tad undecided about leaving the ECHR, a previous supporter of Liz Truss and unlikely to welcome Nigel Farage into the Party. He says he offers experience from the “real world”. Tugendhat is polling in the top 3.
Kemi Badenoch, darling of the anti-woke crowd and thought to be a prodigy of Michael Gove and Dougie Smith, despite or perhaps because of her part in bringing down Boris Johnson she is a favourite for the final 2. Former Secretary of State for Business and Trade and Equalities Minister she does not believe UK is a racist country, well known for speaking her mind, sometimes combatively. As Badenoch is right of centre her opposing contestant in the final two is likely to be left of centre, thus Tom Tugendhat fits that bill.
Badenoch is correct, UK is not a racist country. Three of the contenders are “brown” and three are “white”, this has occurred naturally following a democratic process of local elections. Ethnicity, faith and skin colour are irrelevant in the Conservative leadership election.