Among the sickening things about the far-right hate riots is the glee they have inspired in certain quarters. Politicians, agitators and an array of media hacks who, for years, have been inflaming the prejudices of the mob are now lapping up the fear and violence they’ve spread, claiming, from the safety of their armchairs, that it vindicates their prior warnings. Men setting fire to a hotel with asylum-seeker guests and howls of “I want my country back” are outcomes in line with the low nationalism they espouse. How they must revile London. How they must long to see it burn.
After all, the nation’s capital is one of the most multi-ethnic, cosmopolitan places on this Earth. It is an international city, a global magnet for humankind, where over 300 languages are spoken. It is the ultimate manifestation of the many things about Britain Nigel Farage and his kindred spirits loathe. Yet without it, the economy and public services of the UK would be in an even sadder state than they are now. It is a measure of how absurd the self-appointed gatekeepers of Britishness are that they recoil from this bedrock of British life. It is about time they learned to integrate.
So far, London’s Muslims and their institutions have escaped the attention of our enemy within. Yob insurrectionists have made spectacles of themselves in Downing Street with over 100 being arrested, but they haven’t tried it on in regular neighbourhoods. It’s tempting to suspect that doing so might be biting off more than they can chew. Londoners as a whole don’t have much time for such as Reform UK or its like-minded Tories and the BNP were erased from council seats 14 years ago. Enemy forces might find themselves outnumbered.
But that might be tempting fate. London is not immune. And if attacks come, the ultimate defeat of those behind them won’t be achieved by street confrontations. London history, including – indeed, especially – its Cable Street chapter teaches us that as well.
Much of the serious power lies with national government and the law. Keir Starmer, who didn’t head the Crown Prosecution Service for nothing, has laid out in plain terms what what the police intend to do. Those who’ve wrought havoc elsewhere are already being brought before the courts. The government should maintain a running commentary on their capture and processing, all the way to sentencing. This would show its vow of competence being put into effect and serve as a warning to others.
The rest is in the realm of reinforcing social bonds. In London, despite all but escaping hostilities so far, that work has begun. Sadiq Khan has set the tone, unflashy but firm, revealing that the Met and the city’s resilience partners have gathered to co-ordinate and plan. An east London MP has quickly assured constituents that she is aware of nasty rumours and urged people to come together in the face of them. Mosques are being given extra protection. Sitting at my desk, I’m more attuned than usual to the wail of sirens passing nearby. You don’t have to look far to find Londoners on their guard.
A longer-term challenge is to pull the plug from the cesspool of racism, xenophobia, conspiracy theories and misdirected grievance from which the extreme right, including those in suits and ties, have always leeched, lying, exploiting and inciting all the way. Again, London is not immune and the pre-emptive task is one for all.
That includes London’s Conservatives as they ponder the future of their party. They were well beaten in May’s mayoral election and down to a dismal 20.6 per cent of the general election vote share in the capital. With their leadership contest underway, they have a choice between continuing to kow-tow to Reform or stepping back towards the centre, the space where national power is won. Will that be London Tories’ preference? If so, will they make it known?
I complete these few hundred words hoping that the worst of the violence is over, and that it doesn’t scar the city that contains the world – hopeful, but very mindful that it could.
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