Rishi Sunak Makes Speech Warning ‘Extremists’ Want To ‘Poison’ British Democracy
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sounded the alarm on the looming threat of extremism to British democracy in an impromptu speech from Downing Street Friday, nodding to chaotic weeks in Commons and taking a direct shot at pro-Palestinian Workers Party MP George Galloway who won victory in the Rochdale by-election.
“Islamist extremists and far-right groups are spreading a poison,” he said. “That poison is extremism. It aims to drain us of our confidence in ourselves as a people and in our shared future.”
He added: “They want us to believe that our country and the West, more generally, is solely responsible for the world’s ills and that we, along with our allies, are the problem. In short, they want to destroy our confidence and hope. We must not allow that to happen.”
Speaking of pro-Palestine demonstrations that have taken place across the UK since Israel began it’s military campaign in Gaza, following Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, Sunak said: “what started as protests in our streets has descended into intimidation, threats and planned acts of violence”.
He continued: “Jewish children, fearful to wear their school uniform, lest it reveal their identity. Muslim women abused in the street for the actions of a terrorist group they have no connection with.”
Sunak then referenced recent weeks of tumult in Commons and British politics where, in recent weeks: “Now our democracy itself is a target. Council meetings and local events have been stormed. MPs do not feel safe in their homes. Longstanding parliamentary conventions have been upended because of safety concerns.”
Taking a direct jab at Galloway, Sunak said: “It is beyond alarming that last night the Rochdale by-election returned a candidate who dismisses the horror of what happened on October 7th, who glorifies Hezbollah and is endorsed by [British National Party leader] Nick Griffin.”
“Don’t let the extremist hijack your marches,” he said. “You have a chance in the coming weeks to show that you can protest decently, peacefully and with empathy for your fellow citizens. Let us prove these extremists wrong and show them that even when we disagree, we will never be disunited from our common values of decency, and respect.”
