London is burning, and it is spreading to other cities

For the third night running groups of mainly young people have been engaged in the highest level of social unrest seen in the UK capital for many years, and it is spreading to other areas, and other cities.

It all began three days ago with the fatal shooting by the Police of a black man, in North London. It was reported that the man was armed and that a bullet hit a Policeman’s radio. It has been suggested, however, that although the man was carrying a gun in his sock, it had not been fired and in reality the bullet in the radio had been fired by the Police. The man was shot dead and the family and other members of the community approached the local Police to ask for an interview with a senior officer. They were kept waiting for hours.

Then it all started, first in the North London area where it all happened, then in other areas of London, now other cities joining in. Firebombing, looting, attacking the Police, they are being called “criminals” and “socially excluded disaffected youths”, depending on the political leanings of the commentators.

Only weeks ago, after the closure of many youth centres as part of the programme of draconian cuts instituted by the government, many said “there will be riots”. Such measures in tandem with the huge increase in tuition fees that have reduced the prospects of many young people to access a university education have left the young angry and without a sense of future, or belonging. The Police are also suffering severe cuts, and their morale may not be at its best after the resignation of the Police Commissioner in connection with corruption in the Force related to the Murdoch news group hacking affair.

Whilst the markets collapse and speculators wonder how to continue squeezing money out of ordinary people, there seems to be a sense of surprise that these youths are breaking into shops to steal high tech consumer goods, the very things advertised to them ad nauseam, but that they have little chance to acquire.

Unfortunately they have chosen the worst possible way to express their grievances. With violence, without a project for change and alienating the people who could help them bring about the social transformation they need.