Causes, Impact and Solutions  

Neal Lawson: Director of Compass and local Speaker TBC 

10.00-12.30

Cornerstone Community Centre

First Avenue

Hove

https://cornerstonecommunitycentre.com

 

Few of us will forget those few weeks, just after the historic election of a new Labour Government, when, seeming out of the blue the country witnessed a wave of shocking and violent riots directly aimed at harming and intimidating asylum seekers, Muslims and others.

The organised far right was, is a very literal way, fanning the flames of racism, violence and hate.

But just as quickly we witnessed wonderful moment of hope as overwhelming numbers of ordinary people turned out onto our streets to oppose these fascists and racists. Not least in Brighton and Hove.

But as Neal Lawson argues in his important new report ‘After The Riots (https://www.compassonline.org.uk/publications/after-the-riots/ ), now is not the time to think ‘job done’, because ‘the embers of hatred, frustration, and alienation still shimmer under the ashes. The violence has subsided for now, but it’s not hard to see, given the context, how something similar, worse even, might arise again – and soon’.

‘Without a comprehensive response, we risk falling into a pattern of “sticking plaster politics,” where the true causes of unrest are neglected. This report delves into some of the root causes of these riots, including economic disparity, cultural tensions, and political disillusionment, and asks how we can prevent future unrest.’

So, what should that response be?  Neal and Mike will explore these issues and challenges at our next our coffee morning.  

About Neal Lawson  

Neal should require no introduction to Compass members, he is the founder and director of our organisation and a prolific writer and collaborator on a wide range of issues concerning politics.

Join us for this deeply important, stimulating and timely conversation.