Rishi Sunak says 'it's time we all stand together'; Photo: Aaron Chown/PA
Extremists are trying to undermine British democracy, Rishi Sunak warned on Friday, calling on the country to unite and “beat this poison”.
In his Downing Street speech, the Prime Minister said that there has been a «shocking rise» in extremist activity in the UK since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
Mr Sunak described George Galloway's victory in the Rochdale by-election on Friday as «incredibly appalling» and said extremism demands a response “not just from the government, but from all of us.”
He also issued a direct appeal to pro-Palestinian protesters to reject the radicals who are hijacking their marches and called on police to take a tougher stance.
Noting that he is the country's first non-white prime minister, Mr Sunak said that he wanted to tell people of all races that success in Britain is determined by their hard work and perseverance.
He said both Islamists and far-right groups were «spreading poison» and seeking to undermine trust in achievement and history Britain.
The intervention comes after weeks of growing concern about anti-Israel slogans and banners at marches, threats to the safety of lawmakers and controversial statements from politicians about the conflict in Gaza.
In his address, Mr Sunak pledged to implement a range of measures to tackle these problems. The Telegraph understands that as part of this, universities and councils will be given powers to crack down on Islamists and right-wing groups as part of plans to create a new definition of extremism.
Mr Sunak said: “In recent weeks and months we have seen shocking rise in extremist unrest and crime.
“What started as protests on our streets has escalated into intimidation, threats and planned acts of violence.
“Jewish children are afraid to wear a school uniform, lest it reveal their identity. Muslim women are being abused in the streets for the actions of a terrorist group they have nothing to do with.
“Now our democracy itself is a target. Council meetings and local events were stormed. MPs do not feel safe in their homes.
“Long-standing parliamentary agreements have been overturned due to security concerns.”
The Prime Minister added later: “It’s time we all fight this together.” forces of separation and defeated this poison.
“We must stand up to the extremists who want to tear us apart. There must be leadership, not pandering or appeasement.
“When they lie, we tell the truth. When they try to undermine our confidence, we will redouble our efforts.
“And when they try to make us doubt each other, we will dig deeper for that extra ounce of compassion and empathy they want us to have.” we believed. does not exist, but I know that it exists.”
Mr Sunak decided to speak on the same day it was announced that Mr Galloway, a former Labor MP, would become an MP after a comfortable victory in the Rochdale by-election.
The traditional Labor seat was won by Mr Galloway, running for his own Workers' Party of Great Britain, after Labor had to withdraw its support for its candidate Azhar Ali because of the anti- Semitism Controversy.
During the election campaign, Mr Galloway fiercely criticized Sir Keir Starmer, the Labor leader, for failing to make stronger calls for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
G Mr Galloway said in his speech: “I think Keir Starmer woke up this morning to his worst nightmare.
Jewish groups expressed despair at his victory.
The Prime Minister's speech, which was a call for the nation to stand up to extremism, was made after he flew out of Scotland. Conservative Conference
This echoes Lord Cameron's speech as Prime Minister following the London riots in 2011.
Discussing the Rochdale by-election results, Mr Sunak said, “I need to talk to you tonight because this situation has been going on long enough and requires a response not only from the government, but from all of us.”
Mr Sunak defended the right of pro-Palestinian protesters to take to the streets, but also said slogans such as «from the river to the sea» were unacceptable.
Prime Minister says protests have 'turned into intimidation'; Photo: Aaron Chown/PA
The Prime Minister said: “Yes, you can march and protest passionately. You can demand protection of civilian life.
“But no, you cannot call for violent jihad. There is no «context» in which it would be acceptable to throw anti-Semitic stereotypes onto Big Ben in the midst of a vote on Israel/Gaza.
«And there is no reason you could use to justify supporting proscribed terrorist groups , such as Hamas.
“Yes, you are free to criticize the actions of this government, and indeed any government: this is a fundamental democratic right.
“But no, you cannot use this as an excuse to call for the eradication of the state — or any kind of hatred or anti-Semitism.
“I met with senior police officers this week and made it clear what the public expects that they will not only manage these protests, but also control them.
“And I say this to the police: we will support you when you take action.”
New police structure
Mr Sunak pointed to the newly published policing framework, which aims to clarify when officers should intervene if extremist chants or actions are seen at protests.
Michael Gove, the Communities Secretary, is understood to be in charge of this month will unveil plans for a new definition of extremism that would allow the government and public authorities to ban groups from venues or campuses and block funding if they are found to be promoting extremist ideology. it 'undermines' British values.
He is concerned that the current definition of extremism in the Prevent counter-terrorism program is too narrow and allows Islamist and right-wing groups to get away with behavior that raises concerns. Racial and religious hatred threatens communities and divides societies.
However, plans to define extremism more broadly are likely to draw objections from civil rights groups that it would restrict free speech and could ostracize groups representing mainstream groups. Muslim or right-wing views.
Senior figures involved in Project Prevent have identified organizations such as Palestine Action, Friends of Al Axsa and the Palestine Forum UK as having extremist links. Last week Sir William Shawcross, an independent columnist for Prevent magazine, described the Forum as part of a Hamas support network fueling the protests.
A government source told The Telegraph: “This is not about banning groups. It creates more commitment and gives universities, boards and other public organizations the opportunity to say, “Here's an organization we need to monitor and look at more closely.”
“Then they can take action. against groups that get away with it and incite hatred where there shouldn't be any. This means the university could remove them from campus or the board could cut off funding.»
In his address on Friday, Mr Sunak said: “I want to send a direct message to those who choose to continue protesting: don’t let extremists hijack your marches.”
“In the coming weeks you have a chance to show that you you can protest decently, peacefully and with compassion for your fellow citizens. former Conservative Party deputy chairman, racist or Islamophobic.
Mr Anderson was suspended as a Conservative MP over the weekend after he said «Islamists» had «gained control» of Sadiq Khan, the mayor London. He still refuses to apologize.
The Prime Minister did not openly address the controversy in his speech, but spoke about the dangers of anti-Muslim hatred and named all forms of extremism.
Mr Sunak said: “I fear our great achievement has been in building the world's most successful world, multi-ethnic and multi-religious democracy is being deliberately undermined.”
“There are forces here at home trying to tear us apart. Since October 7, there have been those who have tried to take advantage of the human anxiety we all feel about the terrible suffering that war brings to innocents, women and children, to promote a divisive and hateful ideological agenda.»
< p>Later he continued: “Islamist extremists and far-right groups are spreading poison; this poison is extremism.
“It is aimed at depriving us of confidence in ourselves as a people and in our common future.
“They want us to doubt ourselves, questioning each other, questioning our country's history and achievements.»
In a call to action, Mr Sunak said: «I stand here as our country's first non-white Prime Minister, leading the most diverse government in our the story we want to tell to people of all races, all creeds and all backgrounds, it is not the color of your skin, the God you believe in or where you were born that will determine your success, but only your own hard work and effort.< /p>
“We must be prepared to defend our shared values in any circumstances, no matter how difficult they may be.”
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