MORE than a week after the brutal and tragic stabbing of three young girls in Southport, the UK continues to grapple with waves of far-right riots that have erupted across the nation. Fuelled by false rumours that the attacker was an asylum seeker and a Muslim, far-right groups continue to plan demonstrations in towns and cities across the country. Over the past few days, these demonstrations have hardly been peaceful. In a xenophobic frenzy, the far right is spewing hatred online and offline, in utter disregard of the rule of law. They have smashed windows, burnt public property and looted shops. The consequences of this surge in violence have been severe. Ethnic minorities, migrants and Muslims — especially hijab-clad women — are fearful. Mosques are quieter than before, and have a heavy police presence in some areas. Many are afraid of a repeat of the past week’s violence, when hotels housing asylum seekers were attacked, forcing some to flee into the woods. A Guardian report detailed how for NHS workers, particularly those from abroad, the situation is deeply unsettling. One Egyptian doctor working for the NHS described an environment of fear and anxiety. The hateful rhetoric online and the proximity of anti-immigration demonstrations have left many international doctors contemplating their safety and future in the UK. The impact of these riots is not just physical, it is also psychological.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a critical test of leadership. It is not simply a matter of law enforcement but of moral leadership. It is imperative that his government take decisive action to quell these riots and protect those under threat. Mr Starmer has rightly condemned the hate-filled rhetoric fuelling these riots. The swift arrests, indictments and convictions serve as critical deterrents. But much more needs to be done to rebuild trust and unity within communities that for years have been demonised and scapegoated by myopic and opportunistic politicians. It is equally crucial to address the normalisation of the far-right discourse on immigration in Britain, as elsewhere in Europe. This political reality demands a response. It is true that the majority of Britons view the recent events with revulsion. But the riots also reveal that far-right ideologies have significantly infiltrated UK politics, and will continue to pose a challenge to the current government if not dealt with comprehensively.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2024