Let us hope they can act as swiftly clearing the backlg of asylum seekers and clear the hotels. They also need to ensure tat asylum is properly documented and where possible dealt with before arrival in the UK. The whole migration issue will need similarly swift and decisive action, universities depend on foreign students. I am sure there are solutions with temporary visas that could become extended/made permanent with evidence of national insurance and tax payments.
I guess today is the test of whether the peace will hold? It is the start of the football season with games in the Championship involving many teams that are based in known trouble spots. Will the prison sentences deter enough people? I guess the silly little boys who might join in will maybe think twice (thinking is not common in teenage boys!), but as has been stated by reporters many of the rioters have multiple convictions for violence – they are unlikely to moderate their behaviour.
Then back to Musk – what is his game? Does he see the Labour Government and the UK as a beacon of wokeism in Europe? Or has he not realised that wealth does not bring respect and intelligence?
But enough of UK politics. Israel and Hexzbollah seem to be edging towards all out conflict and we have not had Iran’s response to the invasion of its borders yet. There has been no let up in the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and their continued prescence in Gaza is murderous. How the American election will affect things is unclear – America is a major supplier of weapons and finance to Israel. Starmer is keeping quiet after his appalling faux pas after the events of October 2023 – fuck, that is almost a year ago and at least 40000 Palestinians have been killed since along with possibly hundreds of Israelis. Until Netmanyahu goes there is unlikely to be a settlement.
Ukraine – the war continues with a large death toll – but the press have got bored! Russia has made some advances to regain territory it lost, but despite Ukraine stating that it was short of weapons and firepower it seems to have held its own. New planes and missiles have been delivered and I suspect that the war will ebb and flow unabated for a while longer. Trump might withdraw support for Ukraine and NATO which is unlikely to settle anything!
North Africa – there appears to be continued development of ISIS in several areas of North Africa. France which has been at the forefront in former terroritories has withdrawn to a large extent, USA has done similarly, and Russia has filled the vacuum. Climate change could have a huge influence here? A burgeoning population and diminishing resources, proximity to Europe,cultural antagonism, a possible perfect storm?
Sudan rarely gets a mention in the news but the human suffering is appalling. Perhaps the worst human disaster of the 21st century (OK Gaza).
China is seen as a threat, but my advice is keep your friends close, but your enemies closer! Their growing economic and military power are not necessarily a threat, they obviously need watching, along with every other major power. USA if Trump wins could be a destabilising impact. And if Trump loses – will America burn?