Rishi Sunak claimed British extremist groups were “trying to tear us apart” in a hastily prepared Downing Street statement hours after George Galloway won the Rochdale by-election.
Standing outside Downing Street late on Friday, the prime minister condemned the “shocking rise in extremist chaos and crime” after the October 7 massacre by Hamas and Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
He also criticized the election of Mr Galloway, who easily won the Rochdale seat on a platform focused on anti-Israel sentiment towards Gaza, and argued that democracy itself was being targeted.
But in his sometimes rambling and seemingly contradictory 10-minute speech, Sunak tried to pin the blame for recent tensions almost entirely on Islamists, Suera Braverman said. He made a point that is likely to infuriate right-wing Tory MPs such as Robert Jenrick and Robert Jenrick. Extremists.
Mr Sunak was at pains to highlight recent abuses against British Muslims and the Jewish community, highlighting the threat from far-right groups as well as Islamists.
“Don’t let the extremists hijack your march,” he said directly to those taking part in a series of large-scale protests across the UK.
“In the coming weeks, we have a chance to show that we can protest civilly and peacefully, with empathy for our fellow citizens. We have a chance to prove these extremists wrong, and to show that even if we disagree, we can protest civilly and peacefully. Let us prove that we will never unite.”
But Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said: “The British people will learn no lessons from the Prime Minister and the Conservative Party, who have been sowing division for years.”
Sunak added: “Yes, you can march and protest with passion, and you can demand the protection of civilian lives. But no, you cannot call for violent jihad. ”
However, he failed to mention his scathing criticism of members of parliament from his own party or his failure to criticize their statements.
He spoke at the end of the week when former Tory deputy leader Lee Anderson was forced to withdraw the whip following comments widely condemned as offensive and Islamophobic about London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Former home secretary Suella Braverman and former prime minister Liz Truss have also been accused and accused of deliberately stirring up division.
Other parts of Mr Sunak’s impromptu speech, delivered with minimal notice, painted a political tirade that some opponents say is an exaggeration.
“In recent weeks and months, we have seen an alarming increase in disruption and crime by extremists. What started as street protests has turned into threats, intimidation, and premeditated acts of violence. “It has developed into something like that,” he said.
“I need to speak to you tonight because this situation has been going on long enough and requires a response from all of us, not just the government.”
He said: “Here at home there is a war that is divisive and hateful, capitalizing on the very human anxieties we all feel about the terrible suffering that war brings to innocent people, women and children. There are “forces that want to tear us apart in order to advance.” Ideological challenges.”
The speech contained no new policies other than a vague promise that the government would create a “robust framework” to tackle the roots of extremism.
But the prime minister urged police to make more use of existing powers to deal with actions such as protesters disrupting political meetings and showing footage of parliament.
“This week I met with senior police leaders and made it clear that the public expects police to work with them, not just manage protests,” he said.
“I say this to the police: If you take action, we will support you.”
Mr Sunak said “there is a growing consensus that mob rule will replace democratic rule” after a meeting with police on Wednesday, an assessment echoed by civil liberties groups and others. It has been criticized as worrying and potentially a precursor to the introduction of even tougher anti-protest laws.
Labor leader Keir Starmer appeared to back the Prime Minister’s message of domestic unity.
He said: “The Prime Minister is right to advocate for unity and condemn the unacceptable and coercive behavior we have seen in recent days.
“Defending our values and the common bonds that unite us is an important task of leadership.
“The public has the right to go about their business without intimidation, and elected officials should be able to carry out their duties and vote without fear or favor.
“This is a cross-party agreement and something we all need to uphold.”
Mr Davey said: ‘This is the same Prime Minister who made Suella Braverman home secretary and Lee Anderson deputy chair of the party.
“If the Prime Minister was serious about bringing people together, he would call a general election now and let the British people decide the future of our country.”
