A line in the sand
Far right driven and inspired riots over the past week are the UK’s equivalent of January 6th 2021 when the Capitol was stormed by mobs as the then President stood back and even encouraged insurrection.
This may seem dramatic but it is difficult not to conclude that the intention of the small minority who have acted on the street, in the media and online are motivated by a desire to undo the UK as a multiracial, multicultural democracy with, by and large, a set of common values shared by the vast majority.
It is far from perfect, far from equal, and riddled by too much poor governance - and policing - but the vast majority live together in communities where we get on with our lives in common. The world of far right paranoia, conspiracies and hatred are a million miles away from our lives.
And yet, here we are. The simple fact is that too many in mainstream media, social media and politics have allowed a discourse of division to go on for too long. And some, the notable owner of a major social media platform springs to mind, have even seen personal advantage from stoking the flames. And our laws from the Public Order Act to the new Online Safety Act seem toothless in responding to this phenomenon of legitimising violence whilst pretending to advocate for free speech.
I feel for the communities who have to clean up the carnage. To their credit they have come together to begin to rebuild in itself showing that solidarity is greater than division in our society. I feel for those who have been attacked and those who fear for their safety. I feel for the poor family of three girls murdered in Southport a little over a week ago and have to observe this mayhem which has nothing to do with the crime as they try to grieve, their lives torn apart. And I even feel for many families who are waking up today to find their sons, brothers and husbands in custody and facing a long prison term. I certainly feel for those in the emergency services who have been placed in harm’s way.
This is a tragedy. It is not “legitimate grievance” as some bad faith commentators have suggested. The notion that "the people" are not being listened to by "the elites" is utter drivel. We had an election where the vast majority of parties offer some version of managed migration. The party that exists on the back of anti-immigration won some seats but no more than that. The leader of that party himself deliberately and knowingly fanned the flames last week. What those who engage in these crimes do whether global oligarchs, rabble rousing politicians or street thugs is ignore that we all are trying to find a way through the undoubted collective challenges we face without pulling everything apart.
When this all finally dies down we have to act. Yes, police have to act to bring violent protestors to justice. We must also revisit our laws: they don't appear to be fit for purpose in a world of a global far right threat. But, more importantly than either of these, we have to both think about how we can ensure that when communities face economic and social change they are better supported: both with resources and a deliberate set of cohesion policies working closely with civil society in all its forms.
The warnings that something like this would be possible have been with us for quite some time. Too little was done to moderate our discourse and challenge those who provoked division- in fact they have often been given out-sized platforms and therefore voice because they entertain. Too little was done to create backstop powers to prevent abuse of power on social media platforms. And there has been too little investment of cash and policy effort in creating the conditions for stronger cohesion.
And so now we face an attack on the UK as an open society, as a community with common values. Those values will win ultimately. But we do have to act.
