Political Unrest in UK Government Following Minister's Criticism of Police ahead of Pro-Palestinian March on Armistice Day
UK government faces turmoil as Home Secretary Suella Braverman's critique of policing plans for an upcoming pro-Palestinian march intensifies pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak A challenging weekend lies ahead for the administration
The British government is preparing for a challenging weekend as Rishi Sunak, a prime minister facing constant obstacles, continues to struggle with crisis management.
On Saturday, the UK will observe Armistice Day, which marks the de-facto conclusion of World War I. Simultaneously, pro-Palestinian demonstrators will march through central London to advocate for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The procession will culminate at the US embassy in south London. Initially, Sunak expressed concerns about potential vandalism to the Cenotaph, a central London monument honoring the fallen soldiers.
The Cenotaph holds great significance on Remembrance Sunday in Britain, which occurs annually on the second Sunday of November. A wreath is laid at the monument by every serving UK Prime Minister, as well as other influential politicians, esteemed guests, and members of the royal family.
Unquestionably, the Cenotaph is a monument of tremendous importance to countless individuals in Britain. Unfortunately, it has been subjected to acts of vandalism by various protestors in the past, causing immense distress to many.
On March 7, 2023, at Downing Street, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addressed the media during a press conference to introduce new legislation on migrant Channel crossings. Home Secretary Suella Braverman was present at the event, attentively listening to the Prime Minister's speech.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
Whats this got to do with Sunak and his government?
Sunak desired to prevent the protest from taking place altogether. However, he was subsequently compelled to acknowledge that the march would proceed - considering that the right to protest is a significant aspect of democracy. Prohibiting such a protest on Armistice Day, a day that commemorates those who sacrificed their lives for these very freedoms, does not present a favorable image.
While acknowledging the march's occurrence, Sunak has consistently maintained his stance that choosing to protest during this particular weekend is "not only disrespectful, but also undermines our deep appreciation for the memory of those who made immense sacrifices to ensure our current state of freedom and peace."
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Sunak has also adopted a strong stance with the Metropolitan Police Service of London. He has emphasized that they will be held accountable in the event of any mishaps on Saturday.
Following this, Suella Braverman, the contentious Conservative firebrand and Home Secretary of Sunak, intervened to further escalate the situation.
On Thursday morning, an article written by Braverman appeared in The Times of London accusing the police of showing bias when handling protesters.
Extinction Rebellion (XR) members disrupt Home Secretary Suella Braverman's speech at the National Conservatism Conference held on May 15, 2023, at the Emmanuel Centre in London, England.
"Why were lockdown objectors treated harshly by public order police during the Covid pandemic, while Black Lives Matter demonstrators were not only permitted to violate regulations but also received a friendly reception with officers kneeling?" questions Braverman.
Continuing her statement, she labels the individuals participating in the upcoming London march as "hate marchers" and draws a comparison between those showing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and those who advocated for Northern Irish terrorist organizations during the 1970s and 1980s.
At that time, Sunak had spoken with the head of the Metropolitan Police and was making efforts to pacify the situation before Saturday. He went so far as to express that he had received "reassurances that the police are taking all necessary measures" to prevent the situation from escalating.
In response, the leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer, proposed on X (previously known as Twitter) that "the person the Prime Minister must hold responsible is his home secretary. Engaging in a confrontation with the police rather than collaborating with them demonstrates cowardice."
Braverman's intervention stirred up speculation about her future in the government, with Friday morning's national newspaper front pages focused on the possibility of Sunak dismissing her. What made Braverman's intervention so detrimental to Sunak?
Firstly, it presents him in a very feeble light. Downing Street has officially acknowledged that it did not authorize the column - an uncommon occurrence for a cabinet minister who is obligated by the ministerial code to maintain a unified governmental stance.
On November 4, 2023, a supporter of the Palestinian cause demonstrates inside London's Charing Cross railway station, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The individual holds up a sign, expressing their pro-Palestinian stance. This photo was captured by Mark Kerrison for In Pictures/Getty Images.
There are growing concerns in Westminster about the intentions of the Home Secretary. Many wonder if she is intentionally undermining his authority and lacks respect for him. Some even speculate that she is purposely provoking a dismissal. This has led to speculation about whether Braverman's actions are a signal of her aspirations to lead the party in the future, particularly appealing to the right-wing conservative base.
This is not Braverman's first instance of going off-script. She has previously participated in fringe Conservative events where she discussed her immigration policy, which, hinting at being relatively stricter than Sunak's.
In fact, this is not her only controversial involvement in the past week. Just last week, she stated that living without a home is a "lifestyle choice." Sunak chose not to echo or associate himself with her remarks.
However, he is likely lacking the strength to dismiss his home secretary at this moment. The Conservative Party's ratings in public opinion polls are low, and Sunak is already struggling to maintain a fragile coalition of parliament members. The turmoil caused by Brexit, Boris Johnson, and Liz Truss has deeply divided the party, and Sunak strongly opposes allowing Braverman, who enhances his credibility with the conservative faction of his party, to operate without restraint outside his influence.
Sunak's major concern in the long run is how this situation highlights the potential politicization of any matters and the willingness within his own team to engage in this politicization.
Moreover, the fact that he is currently facing criticism from both the opposition and members within his own party does not contribute to improving the situation. After being in power for almost 14 years, his Conservative Party is facing challenges in presenting a compelling vision or any sense of optimism for the future.
