UK riots will not ‘change’ policies
SIR Keir Starmer yesterday insisted he will not let violence dictate Government policy, following the summer riots across the UK, and shared concerns about “snake oil” promises from the far right across Europe.
The Prime Minister also said he did not think Britain was a racist country, and pointed to the “decent” people who joined cleanup efforts following August’s episodes of unrest.
The riots were sparked after three young girls were killed in an attack in Southport, Merseyside, on July 29. Hundreds of people have since been through the court system for riot-related offences, after clashing with police and attacking hotels housing asylum seekers, among other actions.
The Prime Minister told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme there was “racism there” during the unrest in the early weeks of August, adding: “Yes, I accept that across the country people have strong views about things like immigration. I accept that, but I am not prepared to tolerate that sort of disorder under any circumstances. Nor will I change Government policy one bit as a result of that sort of violence.”
Sir Keir said he did not think Britain was a “racist country” but one of “decent people, tolerant people”. He added: “The real Britain was the people who came out the day after in Southport. It was incredible, people came out with their trowels, with their brooms, they cleaned up, they rebuilt.
“They are the real face of Britain and that is the Britain that I think is essential to reuniting and bringing this country back together.”
Sir Keir shared concerns about the rise of far-right political parties across Europe, pointing to recent victories by Alternative For Germany (AfD) in German regional elections, and the gains by Marine le Pen’s National Rally in the French parliament.
He told the BBC: “I am worried about the rise of the far right. I mean, we can see what is happening in Germany with the recent election, see what is happening in France and other countries. I am worried about the far right because it is the snake oil of the easy answer. I am convinced that the answer to it is delivery in Government.”
Elsewhere, the Prime Minister turned his focus across the Atlantic, and told the BBC that his visit to the United States, where he is due to hold talks with President Joe Biden, on Friday would be focused on dealing with the “evermore pressing” situation in Ukraine, as well as the conflict in the Middle East.
Sir Keir said it was “wrong” to claim the US was angry at Britain for its decision to suspend some arms sales to Israel. The UK announced it would limit the sales of some arms last Monday, citing humanitarian concerns among its legal reasoning.
He added: “We have been talking to the US beforehand and afterwards. They are very clear that they have got a different legal system and they understand the decision that we have taken.”