Protests

Baying mobs ranting about “P**is,” looting shops, burning libraries, attacking any non-whites they see… that ain’t protest.

Saw a photo of a guy, with a poppy on his jacket, proudly showing his massive swastika tattoo. The mind boggles.

But it’s the age old story of blaming all of society’s woes on small groups of immigrants, rather than the people at the top who are actually to blame.

Hopefully it’ll calm down now, as riots tend to be linked to heatwaves, and the police can spend their time catching up with the idiots.

It's horrible. We took our kids to see Twisters last night at the cinema in Belfast and then had to do a whole detour on the motorway to get home to avoid trouble. Pathetic.

Firstly, I have to emphasise that I do not, in any way, condone, empathise with, or excuse, the rioters over the past few days.

BUT Starmer REALLY needs to stop saying, "I want you to know this violent mob do not represent this country, and we will bring them to justice." when NO UK government this century has achieved a 50%+ overall mandate from the electorate. NO parliament labour, tory or coalition has achieved this, cannot claim to 'represent the country', and the violence is, in part, down to the rhetoric of politicians (of all political colours) using divisive language to appeal to or encourage a particular core of voters.

Mis-information, both from social media and from authorities / governments, is rife and THIS is what needs tackling as a priority. Not wishing to sound Orwellian, but a completely independent Ministry of Truth is needed. But how?

To be honest the rioters are nasty ultra right wingers, not very intelligent and that is why they’re susceptible to be influenced by Russian actors on social media.

I see he’s just doubled-down on his comments so let’s see if that makes things better or worse. His approval rating is down 16% in the last two weeks, I think a more accomplished politician like Blair would have handled this specific issue better - I’m surprised he isn’t advising Starmer.

It is great to see Crime Commissioners leading from the front.

I walked through the centre of Liverpool as the dispersal order was in place after the protests in the afternoon, and just before it all kicked off again.

I had to walk 40 minutes with a suitcase to the edge of central Liverpool where it was a safe point for buses to pick up their services again (Arriva and StageCoach pulled their services from the two main bus stations in the centre).

The atmosphere was grim - police everywhere, on foot, on horse, with dogs, riot vans, helicopter overhead. People trying to goad the (police on) horses. As many people were leaving the centre on foot, lots of teenagers headed into town giddy with excitement that they might pick up some action.

Many of the rioters had their faces covered - if you're really passionate about a cause you show your face. It wasn't about those poor girls in Southport, or boats, or Muslims - it was a thirst for violence and destruction.

Where were the protests in Liverpool when 10-year old Olivia and 28-year old Ashley died after being shot by white people? Oh no, you'd be seen as a grass, can't have that! Poor Ashley's own boyfriend refused to cooperate with the police (the gunman was after him), making their jobs difficult - no protests against that.

Thankfully the vast majority of people in Liverpool, or the UK, are decent and kind people. Let's hope that trumps this violent minority.

Quite. It’s line in the sand time, and he’s lucky to be able to draw it without a litany of cock-ups or back-handers in his wake.

The Devil Wears a Balaclava.

and what is the mindset of a parent who takes young children to participate or watch the riots?

So we have the answer. He made things worse. What he's doing, his actions, aren't the problem. It's what he's saying and the way he's framing things that is. He either lacks the skill or the advice to present things in such a way that it deescalates the problem. I mean just on a side issue in that first address to the nation why mention bringing in facial recognition technology as a response ? Immediately he alienates the civil liberties supporters who are numerous and span the political spectrum and it's even banned in the EU. Why even mention it ? Why fight that battle ? He really seems disappointingly inept. 

Pro Palestinian yobs did something similar in a Birmingham pub yesterday