The far left in France, could it happen here?

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.

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.

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.

Sorry, Sago, not Sarnia, my apologies.

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

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

One assumes he had been given intelligence on this.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

TerriBull

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.

Interestingly I heard a piece on the car radio today about this very subject.

Youths at Secondary schools stated they’d like mandatory work experience returned and one 15 year old spoke very eloquently about some work experience he’d recently done and how much he gained from it.

Stats also show a very very slight decrease in unemployment.

He may have done but that is far too simplistic, and I would be cautious over accepting Macron’s explanation. Of course he is going to try to blame a group either far left or right rather than accept responsibility for the parlous state of the education system. However, whether the far left or right is taking advantage of the discontent is a different question, and undoubtedly there is always an element if this in any protest however small.

With regard to whether the U.K. could experience such widespread civil unrest. Well, the answer is - yes of course it could. But I would hope at present it is unlikely because I think the mitigating factor is the Burnham government, with its policies and rhetoric of easing the burden on the poor, the move to greater equality etc. I am also hopeful that distrust in government improves.

To my mind the biggest threat is from the far right and their links to Russia.

Whilst Macron mentioned far left agitators but he said most of the protesters had legitimate grievances.

Macron said far-left agitators, Lecornia said far-left agitators, Julien Jegon said enacted by radical islamists and far-left agitators.

I certainly hope this forthcoming budget does not disadvantage business any more than RR did in her capacity as Chancellor,

There are businesses and there are big businesses. I am fine with SMEs, which are the lifeblood of our economy, but the big corporations, often foreign, which focus only on extracting as much wealth as they possibly can from the rest of us (or from the state) need reining in.

They, of course, are the ones which spend a great deal of money lobbying hard and donating to political parties to gain influence. I would hope that Healy will ignore them in the budget, but I fear that he won't.

fancythat

Macron said far-left agitators, Lecornia said far-left agitators, Julien Jegon said enacted by radical islamists and far-left agitators.

It is entirely in all these people's interests to blame the left.

To most people who think for themselves it is clear that the violence and crime are not at all political, it's just opportunism on the part of the violent and criminal.

Whitewavemark2

He may have done but that is far too simplistic, and I would be cautious over accepting Macron’s explanation. Of course he is going to try to blame a group either far left or right rather than accept responsibility for the parlous state of the education system. However, whether the far left or right is taking advantage of the discontent is a different question, and undoubtedly there is always an element if this in any protest however small.

With regard to whether the U.K. could experience such widespread civil unrest. Well, the answer is - yes of course it could. But I would hope at present it is unlikely because I think the mitigating factor is the Burnham government, with its policies and rhetoric of easing the burden on the poor, the move to greater equality etc. I am also hopeful that distrust in government improves.

To my mind the biggest threat is from the far right and their links to Russia.

To be fair to Macron, it is the government that is responsible for domestic policy, including education. I think there have been years of under-investment in education in some areas, including modernisation of the curriculum. It seems that the online system for university has come in for a lot of criticism and I can't say I am surprised by that. When I first taught in French schools it felt like going back many years from the resources and teaching methods then current in UK schools. I am not surprised by the PISA results.

Cossy schools in England have mandatory work experience in year 10.

OldFrill

Whilst Macron mentioned far left agitators but he said most of the protesters had legitimate grievances.

Yes, he was talking about the protests, not the riots.

Grandma70s

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.

There were some worrying riots last summer with youngsters rampaging through stores, causing a huge amount of damage and looting in our major cities. I always feel riots like this can happen at any time and could easily escalate further.