Skip to main content
We cannot close our eyes to the causes of these riots
While far-right elements must be identified, isolated and opposed, a law and order response won't address the social conditions fuelling the unrest in Britain's forgotten communities, writes JACK MORRISS
A youth aims a fence post towards police during an anti-immigration demonstration near the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, August 4, 2024

DESCRIPTIONS of mindless violence and criminal thuggery give the impression that the riots have come out of nowhere or are the sole outcome of fascist agitation.

There can be no doubt that a loose set of neofascist actors either by physical organisation on the ground or via online encouragement through popular apps like Telegram have played a significant role.

The attempt to set fire to a hotel housing asylum-seekers in Rotherham which was still occupied at the time of the attack could be viewed as arson with intent to endanger life.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Class alternatives
Features / 16 October 2025
16 October 2025

KEVIN COURTNEY of Stand Up to Racism and JOHN PAGE of the Ella Baker School of Organising announce a joint project aiming to unite trade unions and social movements in creating new narratives to fight the divisive rhetoric of the far right

UNEASE: Ian Lavery MP is concerned that parts of his home region of north-east England seem to be turning towards the populist right
Labour Conference 2025 / 29 September 2025
29 September 2025

All the areas that cause working people to feel insecure have to be addressed, through a return to unashamedly pro-worker politics, if the horror of a Farage government is to be avoided, writes IAN LAVERY MP