Labour's response to riots sweeping the UK proves Sir Keir Starmer is not up to the job
Sir Keir Starmer has been too slow off the mark with his response to the awful riots sweeping the UK - we need decisive action, says Matt Vickers MP.
Violence continues to sweep cities and towns across our country, with brave police officers facing injury and danger to keep our communities safe.
And this violence only continues to escalate. Violence against places of worship, arson on businesses, attacks on community facilities – unjustifiable thuggery that must be met with more than tough words. It must be met with tough action.
But Labour so far has been slow off the mark. It took days for Keir Starmer to call a COBRA meeting, We’re just weeks into a Labour government and already we are starting to see that Starmer may not have the mettle to face up to the challenges that come with governing.
He has dithered and delayed, leaving vital questions hanging in the air: why did COBRA not meet last week when these mobs first hit the streets, and why did he not make sure our police forces had the support they need straight away?
Starmer’s hesitancy has been costly. Not just for the businesses and communities that have borne the brunt of this violence, but for the respect for law and order we all depend upon to keep us safe.
Government is not about what you say. It is about what you will do – and so far, Labour has been found wanting.
By failing to take firm action as quickly as possible, Keir Starmer has eroded his credibility and shown that Labour is not ready to govern.
Starmer needs to step up and take the decisive action this country expects. Only then will he earn the public's support.
