(05 Aug 2024, 1:52 pm)DeltaMan wrote The blame for the rioting is on the rioters, and them alone.

If they are stupid enough to believe the nonsense that rabble rousers like Farage and Yaxley-Lennon spout and turn that in to violent action, that's on them and I hope they do face the full force of the law, like the 2011 rioters.

The mainstream political class also need to look at themselves as well. These scrots carrying out violent acts feel like they need to turn to the fringes, rather than the middle ground. Why is that?

It sounds as if they are, thankfully. In Sunderland and Merseyside, most are reporting that those who have been charged are being held on remand until their trial.

I think there's two groups of people involved. There's the fascists, of whom we should never give any ground or acceptance to, and there's your average thugs/knuckle-draggers, who are buying the nonsense spouted by the rabble rousers, and are using it as their opportunity to 'rebel' against society. Some of the latter group, we already see instances of, whether it be low-level antisocial behaviour or setting fire to stuff in their local park. We've really failed to get a grasp on that.

I do agree that the mainstream political class need to look at themselves, but IMHO it's because they've spent years now with the dog whistle racism. It's pretty much carried on from throughout the Brexit debate, and in particular into this last General Election. Think of how many issues were turned into 'because of immigrants', 'because of small boats', and so on.

This is firmly a product of austerity. Turning people against people.

(05 Aug 2024, 1:52 pm)DeltaMan wrote Westminster as a blob is so far removed from local communities. My local MP is genuinely only ever seen in the 'sink' estates when there is an election. Politicians don't "look" like the communities they represent. They are mostly university educated and most have never lived on a council estate and/or been dropped in by Political Party HQ (see somebody like Tornston Bell, Labour MP in Swansea West, who I'm sure is a bright chap). I know it sounds like a cheap thing to say, but it's true.

If politicians have lost the ideological battle with the likes of the troublemakers to Lennon etc, that's on them. Have better, more compelling arguments that are easy to understand,  because as misguided and racist as they are, that's what Farage and Robinson have.

I don't know your constituency, but I kind of understand the criticism.

I think an MP ultimately has to pick and choose the community events and engagements they attend, in order to try and meet as many residents and businesses as possible. This being in addition to surgeries. I'm not saying all do this, but it's how a good MP should operate.

People also need to remember that the MP works for them, so they can be contacted in the event of issues. The best way to do that is to email them (including name, address and postcode), or by attending one of their published surgeries.

I do agree there's a gap between politicians and the communities they represent. Not in all cases, but it's becoming more so even under Labour, who used to make a big thing about local candidates being selected by local parties.