Speaking from experience, the United Kingdom is a desperate place at the moment.
The hope and optimism after the election of a new Labour government on July 4 has quickly faded away. Just one month after the polls closed, the country has witnessed riots not seen on British streets for 13 years.
It’s sad, more than anything else. Few people watch the news to become so infuriated that they decide to take their anger out on a pastry shop. Instead, they are saddened that the actions of politicians and the mainstream media has fueled the fan of frustrations among vocal minorities on either side of the political spectrum.
Just days after his electoral victory, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to release prisoners 40% of the way through their sentence (assuming, of course, they were eligible for parole). He deemed this to be a necessary step given “overcrowding” within the British prison system.
Yet, as the political elite have changed to a “tough on crime” stance to bring an end to the protests against mass immigration and migrant crime, prison spaces are suddenly becoming available.
On social media, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood shared a Guadian article stating an extra 500 prison places would become available to accommodate convicted rioters.
The political approach of finding solutions only in times of exceptional – or selective demand is incredibly frustrating. It only raises questions as to why reducing minimum prison sentences, thus potentially releasing murderers, rapists, and pedophiles early, was initially prioritized over creating additional prison spaces.
Of course, threats from politicians can only infuriate further. It’s a dangerous route…
…one which some will deem Orwellian.
