Cameron’s statement to Parliament today started as a sombre and somewhat unexciting event. The Chamber was crowded but there was a distinct sense of MPs being disgruntled at being called back from their holidays. Despite maintaining a level and strong tone throughout, Cameron lacked the emotion and passion that was so evident yesterday’s speech outside No 10. He thanked MPs, Ed Miliband and the police in a fairly perfunctory manner, before making it strikingly clear that he deemed the riots and looting to be “criminality, pure and simple”, and promised that as much as possible would be done to help those affected.
The statement was non-inflammatory and covered all the issues that have been much debated in the media over the past few days. It was striking that, despite being a non-partisan statement on the surface, there were Conservative undertones. Tough law and order was a running theme, with the prime minister using strong language to denounce the violence, looting and rioting. Moreover, family values were emphasised when he implored parents to be aware of their children’s whereabouts and behaviour.
These themes were maintained by Ed Miliband in his questions to the prime minister as he reaffirmed the tough measures needed to ensure the riots were kept under control. In a divergence from the government position however Miliband sought to emphasize the deeper causes of the behaviour seen on the streets with focus on a “top-to-bottom” approach to tackle gang culture. He talked of the lessons that must be learned from the riots this week, taking a longer term view than Cameron had offered. He did however offer his support to the prime minister in addressing the underlying problems that he thought needed tackling.
The debate only really got going when Cameron responded to a question from Miliband regarding cuts to the police budget. The prime minister promised that he was looking for cash reductions in police budgets without any visible reductions in policing on the streets. This predictably prompted heckles and calls from across the Labour benches, with many of the subsequent questions picking up on this theme.
With the start of questions from other MPs Cameron really got into his stride. The first question from Sir Peter Tapsell regarding whether Wembley Stadium could be used for holding rioters prompted a much more impassioned response from the prime minister about allowing the police to do their job in a professional manner. David Lammy provided the second question which allowed Mr Cameron to show his commitment to the rebuilding of affected communities by promising to visit Tottenham and speak to the victims of the riots.
Overall Cameron gave an assured statement which addressed the core issues and themes in a practical manner. He came under attack primarily from the Opposition on police cuts and deeper causes, two issues which are sure to form a central part of the ongoing discussion regarding the riots in weeks to come.
Comments
Ralph Baldwin / August 11 2011 2:44pm
Well, this is precisely it isn't it? How long ago when cameron, our illustrious PM was being rumbled for administrative vandalsim in our Parliament?
How long when MPs did their best to avoid even telling us what they were really about and insulted us all?
How long ago when the bankers committed the greatest act of dodgy financial vandalism with their insane gambling where greed blinded them to consequence after MPs (with regard to the revoloving door between banks and political parties eg David Laws who got away with a 24k indiscretion and was defended across the disgraced House of Commons that has learnt nothing) gave them free reign and powers to bring about all sorts of devastation as occured elsewhere too and has resulted in Wars and deaths?
The police with their problems, best not mentioned which undermined the work of the better officers whose commitment to the public is exemplary.
This of course is a pain in the backside for most of us, its something we have to endure with a few punishments for our dear "elites" at the ballot box (hanging parliament, scots voting SNP etc) as we attempt to try and convince them to represent us, not just Tescos and Sainsbury's as MPs try and sell off our democracy where money is everything and anything goes....for a price.
But for some, individuals with a sense of entitlement (one thing Cameron got right) and who share similar views as some of our establishment it means time to cash in. The silent majority do all they can to protect their properties and Mps do their best to try and seem to be like the decent sensible law abiding and respecting people.
But they are not.
They have more incommon with the thugs and the looters. They treat society with the same arrogant disdain as they try and ensure their own sense of entitlement is satisified by abandoning their democratic duties of service to our communities and to the people.
There are some good eggs but they are generally too afraid to speak out.
There is an incredible opportunity here for MPs to define themselves and rebuild faith in politics, and the Leaders have to go beyond the rhetoric and re-instate represetnative democracy, and end this delusions elitiest nonesense which is little more than trying to turn politics into an Office cash-in lobgbying career in PR.
The best people in society are showing real Leadership, there are the majority who regardless of their incomes, regardless of whether they are employed or not have shown tremendous restraint in our dodgy nepotistic establishment and they should be applauded for abiding by the Rule of Law and being the examples that retain its moral legitimacy.
The poltiicans are yards behind and have no grasp of the Constitutional crises they began and has yet to be solved, as skum bags and cretins follow their example and get away with it, for wealth at cost to civilised society and the peopel who are the true heroes of the day....the long suffering quiet majority.
Councillor Ralph Baldwin BSc (Hons)
Norman Tebbit / August 15 2011 3:04pm
Who puts their degree after their name? Also, delusions of grandeur - littered with gramatical errors.
Taffboi B.A (Hons)