Liberty doesn’t have easy answers as to why so many were swept up in waves of self-destructive madness. But we have a good idea of what is not at fault.
Despite various bizarre suggestions, the blame doesn’t lie at the door of one race or another. Equally, how on earth can a Human Rights Act that expressly protects private property as well as personal safety (or Health and Safety laws, for that matter) be to blame? The Prime Minister spoke of ‘the twisting and misrepresenting of human rights’ – we couldn’t agree more. And contrary to the extraordinary musings of former New Labour Home Secretary Charles Clarke, who really believes that the lack of Identity Cards prompted such disorder?
We’re not suggesting we have quick-fix solutions to the difficult question of how to prevent future civil unrest either. But again, we recognise how not to. More inclusion, fairness and equal treatment before the law – not less – is the only way to build personal and social responsibility. Of course the plight of the victims should not be underestimated and calls for tough action are entirely predictable. But more authoritarian legislation is the last way to encourage ethical behaviour.
We fail to see how leaning on magistrates to lock up youngsters and evicting entire families – innocent siblings and all – from their homes – is justified. Crude spite is flawed, both in theory and practice, and will lead to more problems than it solves. Shutting down entire phone and social media networks – punishing innocent users and those warning others of violence – is as useless as it is disproportionate.
There are robust sentencing guidelines already in place. Our politicians would do well to respect the independence of our judiciary and the Rule of Law if they expect the people to do the same. They should also listen when our police chiefs tell them that new powers – on curfews, dispersals and face-coverings – are unnecessary. How would such powers prove useful in violent, fast-moving riot situations? A lack of police powers wasn’t to blame. As the Home Secretary said, it was a boost in officer numbers that brought things under control.
And despite Government and Opposition's contrasting comments this week, this is not a simple argument of Right versus Left. It is about avoiding deceptively comfortable kneejerk responses from any direction. Similarly, immorality is not the preserve of the young or the poor. The example that has been set by the banking, political and media establishments in the recent past has left a lot to be desired.
Nonetheless, in difficult times amidst a crisis in moral authority, it is worth observing that even last week’s grim snapshot of our country was not just a picture of doom and gloom. When the spontaneous clean-up brigades mobilised following the riots and when Tariq Jahan spoke so bravely after the murder of his son Haroon in Birmingham, we were given a timely reminder of the best as well as the worst in our national – even our human – character.
