Debbonaire Criticizes Starmer’s Delay in Identifying ‘Racist’ Nature of UK Riots on Electoral Dysfunction Podcast

Thangam Debbonaire criticizes Sir Keir Starmer for not sooner denouncing the 'racism' of rioters

The ex-Labour MP expressed on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast that the terminology politicians employed when discussing the rioters was too lenient.

Political correspondent @Journoamrogers

Friday, August 16, 2024, 5:

Thangam Debbonaire believes that Sir Keir Starmer should have described the recent disturbances in England as "racist" sooner than he ultimately did.

The ex-MP for Bristol Central expressed her distress over witnessing the riots that erupted throughout the UK earlier this month.

Ms. Debbonaire, previously the shadow culture secretary under Sir Keir before the election announcement, expressed her perspective as a "mixed race woman," urging that the riots be specifically identified as "race riots."

During her appearance on Beth Rigby's podcast, Electoral Dysfunction, Ms. Debbonaire remarked, "It seemed as though we had reverted to a previous era, and I believed it was important for everyone to recognize these disturbances specifically as race riots. They were not driven by anti-immigration sentiment. They were acts of racism carried out by racists."

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Extreme right-wing unrest erupted in various towns and cities throughout the UK following a tragic stabbing incident that resulted in the deaths of three young women in Southport on Monday, July 29.

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Unverified reports spread on the internet alleging that the suspect was a refugee who had entered the UK by boat.

As the unrest escalated, Sir Keir described the turmoil as "far right" and condemned the "mob of hooligans" involved in the chaos.

During a televised speech, he stated: "Citizens of this nation deserve security, yet we've observed targeted aggression towards Muslim groups, assaults on mosques… Other marginalized groups have been discriminated against, displays of Nazi salutes in public, violence against law enforcement officers, and rampant violence paired with racist language. Therefore, I will not hesitate to label it accurately: far-right violence."

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Ms. Debbonaire, who was defeated by the Green Party in the recent election after serving as the parliamentary representative since 2015, expressed that although she recognized why some politicians referred to the individuals involved as "thugs," she disagreed with the term as it seemed to absolve them of responsibility.

"She expressed concern over the labeling," she mentioned.

I get the reasoning behind labeling them as mindless thugs, but I disagree that it's constructive, as their actions were not without thought. Choices were made by individuals.

"I must admit, though I say this with all due respect to my peers who choose these words, I understand their perspective. However, I believe it excuses them too easily."

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When informed that these were the prime minister's words, Ms. Debbonaire responded, "And I disagree with them. I understand why he said that.

"I believe adopting a law and order strategy was correct. I fully agree with him on that. However, it's possible to hold two truths simultaneously: uphold law and order, while also explicitly recognizing and calling out racism. By doing this, we avoid unfairly grouping together those who are not racist but wish to engage in conversations about immigration with those who are."

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Ms. Debbonaire revealed that despite being in India when the riots occurred, the events left her feeling "scared."

"I felt such relief being in India, surrounded by people of my own background, and I was constantly messaging friends about the distress and fear that comes from witnessing groups of hostile white men clearly singling out individuals based on their race," she explained.

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"It's a profound, gut-wrenching sensation… Likewise, you experience a deep emotional response when white friends, who you believe don't fully understand yet, try to show their support."

She explained, "Waking up every morning in tears over racism isn't an option for me, but witnessing that was truly frightening.

"Indeed, I had hoped that he [Sir Keir] would have spoken sooner; I truly did.

"I hoped that the prime minister would acknowledge the impact their actions were having on us, the brown-skinned patriots who uphold the principles of law and order and have faith in this nation."

As reported by The National Police Chiefs' Council, over 1,000 individuals have been detained due to the recent disturbances, with 372 adults facing formal charges.

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