The far left in France, could it happen here?

GrannyGravy13

I thought it was the Prime Minister of France who referred to far left agitators

One assumes he had been given intelligence on this.

Melelenchon is a threat to the neoliberal establishment, of which Macron is a prime example. I expect that 'intelligence' may well be whispering in Macron's ear, but it will be a very receptive one. Le Pen, being of the 'right' is part of this 'establishment' so is more easily tolerated.

I'd say that he is similar in many ways to Corbyn, but far more French and fiery. He certainly offers more hope to the young than any neoliberal politician but it seems that his blank spot is Russia, which he appears to support. Why a country which is a prime example of predatory capitalism and autocracy in action should hold any appeal for a socialist with strong left wing views is a mystery.

Doodledog

As long as people can be persuaded that behaviour of which they disapprove is ‘far left’ or ‘far right’ there will be a bandwagon to jump on, and wagons to hitch to. Obviously, agitators are aware of this, so adapt their language accordingly.

Extremists at either side of the political spectrum are dangerous.

We need to stop looking at anti social behaviour and more serious violent behaviour crimes as “left” or “right”, but simply as unacceptable and look to have it stamped out.

Maybe our age demographic would rather have a cup of tea at home, but then we aren't the ones facing some of the problems that undoubtedly the younger generation are having to deal with. I certainly hope this forthcoming budget does not disadvantage business any more than RR did in her capacity as Chancellor, meaning there will be even less employment opportunities for the younger generation trying to get their first foot on the ladder.

I sincerely hope not. I do remember we had riots back in the earlier 2000, was it under Johnson?

Was truly no awful and took place in three of our major cities and although the “reasons” given were the cost of living and poverty and no one in authority listening, the damage, fires lit and number of TVs and trainers stolen (that’s what it is), from the V poor shopkeepers points to others “jumping on the bandwagon”.

Real protests, are done relatively peacefully, with people marching together in solidarity with a single message, made clear by the placards carried.

These riots in France and other European countries are not protests.

Sadly, there are pockets of deprivation across our own countries and others in Europe and indeed the USA and Canada.

We cannot prevent riots sadly, we can just hope our police step in quickly and our justice system, backed by our PM.

GrannyGravy13

I thought it was the Prime Minister of France who referred to far left agitators

One assumes he had been given intelligence on this.

Or it’s a convenient way of passing the buck to the opposition? That’s what happens here, isn’t it?

I think that on the whole the British are too laid back (lazy?) to indulge in serious rioting. They’d rather have a cup of tea. Hope I’m right.

We did have some scaled down riots over the circumstances surrounding Mark Duggan's death a while ago. It was clear to see that what comes into play in such events, the opportunists who just go on the rampage looting everything they want to get their hands on. Shops such as Foot Locker if I remember rightly were targeted, Waterstones on the other hand was quite safe. There are those who will use lawlessness to feed their greed.

Jean Luc Melelenchon and his followers are extremely irresponsible to crank up justifiable discontents so it spills over into anarchy. The looting of the up market shops where those responsible exploit the situation to make money on the back of those thefts illustrates a dog eat dog society that has become all about criminal personal gain and does nothing to help those who are struggling with the cost of living. I fear for France.

I thought it was the Prime Minister of France who referred to far left agitators

One assumes he had been given intelligence on this.

As long as people can be persuaded that behaviour of which they disapprove is ‘far left’ or ‘far right’ there will be a bandwagon to jump on, and wagons to hitch to. Obviously, agitators are aware of this, so adapt their language accordingly.

I can't think there is a UK equivalent of Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Certainly not with his political history.
Any suggestions, anyone?

Sorry, Sago, not Sarnia, my apologies.

Perhaps you need to read more widely about what has actually happened in France Sarnia, because there’s a big difference between the initial largely peaceful protests about the education system, and the free for all criminal rioting that has taken place since?

I think there is an element of criminality and violence underlying in the population of every country, but it erupts due to different sparks. It’s quite likely that there will be riots in the UK at some point, given we haven’t had anything large scale for fifteen years, but it will be something different to what’s happened in France.

I don't think so.
British culture echoes USA at least as much as France & the far left aren't rioting there even under extreme right wing governance.

It is worrying though, feels like any issue can set off riots these days.

I think rioting and looting is an entirely apolitical action carried out by opportunists who seize the moment to have a bit of excitement and grab something for nothing.

Blaming the ‘far left’ is more an expression of the commenter’s bias than an expression of the truth.