News

Government condemns ‘far-right thuggery’ following UK-wide protests over the weekend

"Crime is crime. And this Government will tackle it."

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 5th August 2024

The Government has condemned what it has referred to as “far-right thuggery” following demonstrations across the UK over this past weekend.

Following the devastating killing of three young girls during a knife attack in the Merseyside seaside town of Southport on 29 July, with several others also injured during the incident – including two adults, believed to be protecting children – widespread far-right protests, and counter demonstrations, have been taking place nationwide.

Towns and city centres across the UK have been subjected to what local police services have described as a “staggering level of violence” for the past five days.

The North, and North West in particular, has seen the most violence occur.

The Government has condemned ‘far-right thuggery’ following UK-wide protests over the weekend / Credit: GMP

Middlesborough, Rotherham, Hull, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Blackpool, Greater Manchester, Liverpool, and of course, Southport itself, are some of the towns and cities where marches were staged, and actions such as cars being set alight, windows of shops and hotels smashed, and burning wheelie bins and other objects hurled at police officers, were carried out.

More than 140 people have been arrested so far across the country, according to Sky News.

Here in Greater Manchester, disorder has been seen on the streets of Manchester city centre over the weekend, as well as borough towns like Rochdale, and most-notably, Bolton – where Section 34 ‘dispersal notices’, and Section 60 and 60AA ‘stop and search’ powers, have been in place at the latter.

Because of the riots, Downing Street is expected to hold an emergency COBRA response meeting today (Monday 5 August), with this meeting expecting to involve relevant Government ministers and police officials, who will discuss the response in the coming days to ensure such violent scenes aren’t repeated in the future.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer also addressed the escalating situation as it continued Sunday evening (4 August) at Downing Street, assuring the public that “crime is crime” and this new Government “will tackle it”.

The Prime Minister‘s address reads in full: “I utterly condemn the far-right thuggery we have seen this weekend.

“Be in no doubt – those who have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law. The police will be making arrests. Individuals will be held on remand. Charges will follow, and convictions will follow. I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder. Whether directly or those whipping up this action online, and then running away themselves.

“This is not protest. It is organised, violent thuggery. And it has no place on our street or online.

“Right now, there are attacks happening on a hotel in Rotherham. Marauding gangs intent on law breaking, or worse. Windows smashed. Fires set ablaze. Residents and staff in absolute fear. 

“There is no justification for taking this action, and all right-minded people should be condemning this sort of violence. People in this country have a right to be safe, and yet, we’ve seen Muslim communities targeted. Attacks on Mosques. Other minority communities singled out. Nazi salutes in the street. Attacks on the police. Wanton violence alongside racist rhetoric. 

“So, no, I won’t shy away from calling this what it is – far-right thuggery.

“To those who feel targeted because of the colour of your skin, or your faith, I know how frightening this must be. I want you to know this violent mob do not represent our country, and we will bring them to justice. 

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“Our police deserve our support, as they tackle any and all violent disorder that flares up. 

“Whatever the apparent cause or motivation we make no distinction. Crime is crime. And this Government will tackle it.”

Featured Image – Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street (via Flickr)

News

Drinks prices for Manchester Oasis gigs announced – and you’ll be pleasantly surprised

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Drinks prices for Oasis at Heaton Park in Manchester

The prices of drinks at Heaton Park for the five huge Manchester Oasis shows have been released in advance.

With the Gallagher brothers reuniting on stage in their hometown for the first time this weekend (and then again next week), it’s a huge moment for our city.

Those lucky enough to snag tickets have already forked out a small fortune to witness this moment in history (still scarred from the dynamic pricing debacle).

And most of us were probably bracing to spend another small fortune on beers at the Oasis Manchester gigs.

But you might be pleasantly surprised at the drinks prices up at Heaton Park for Oasis Live ’25.

It’s now been confirmed that pints of lager and cider will be just £6.50.

Before you turn your nose up, remember that pints at our two arenas – the AO Arena and Co-op Live are now sitting around the £9 mark.

Prices for other drinks, like wine and spirits, we’ll have to wait until Friday to see.

Heaton Park will also be the home of the ‘largest beer garden’ and the longest bars in the city for the Oasis reunion.

With a major heatwave predicted for the first shows, fans are being encouraged to stay hydrated (on WATER, not beer, please).

Ticket-holders will be allowed to bring a sealed bottle of water up to 500ml in with you, but it must be collapsible plastic.

Solid plastic and metal containers will be rejected on safety grounds.

There’s a free water point on site where you can fill up your bottles again.

Oasis will perform at Heaton Park in Manchester on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July.

You can see our full guide HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Dates announced as resident doctors prepare to stage strikes this month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Resident doctors in England have voted to stage strike action over pay, and the dates for the industrial action have now been confirmed.

The British Medical Association (BMA) says doctors have ‘spoken clearly’ after the results of a vote published today revealed that 90% of resident doctors have voted in favour of a potential return to industrial action.

It comes after the ballot – which ran from 27 May until 7 July – saw a turnout of 55% members, with almost 30,000 (29,741) votes cast.

26,766 of those votes endorsed the use of strike action as part of efforts to restore pay, while just under 3,000 voted against it.

The result means that resident doctors have now secured a fresh mandate to stage industrial action when they choose from now until January 2026. 

BMA resident doctors committee co-chairs, Melissa Ryan and Ross Nieuwoudt, said that, while no doctor took the possibility of striking lightly, a clear majority of members felt that they had ‘no other choice’ given the ongoing failures to restore pay.

They added that Health Secretary Wes Streeting has the power to ‘make the right decision’ on pay, and urged the Government to return to negotiations ‘as soon as possible’.

It’s now been confirmed that resident doctors will stage a full walk out from 7am on Friday 25 July until 7am on Wednesday 30 July.

These upcoming strikes come after resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors, until 2024 – in England participated in an unprecedented 11 rounds of strike action after negotiations with the previous Conservative Government over restoring pay repeatedly stalled.

“Doctors have spoken and spoken clearly – they won’t accept that they are worth a fifth less than they were in 2008,” the committee co-chairs said. “Our pay may have declined but our will to fight remains strong.

“Doctors don’t take industrial action lightly, but they know it is preferable to watching their profession wither away.

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“The next move is the Government’s – will it repeat the mistakes of its predecessor? Or will it do the right thing and negotiate a path to full pay restoration and the restoration of doctors’ confidence in our profession’s future?”

Featured Image – BMA

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