A heart-breaking night for London

With the shattering events of Saturday night that saw London, so soon after Manchester targeted by terrorist’s kill and maim innocent people it has never been so important to stay engaged, not only in politics but in our communities and in every aspect of our lives. 

Tales of quick and brave action from members of the public have gone viral, from the off duty British Transport police officer armed with only a baton who threw himself on one attacked to wrestle him to the ground; to Jack Applebee who got his customers to safety, pulled down the outside grills before confronting the attackers. The bouncer who chased the attackers into the street with chairs, bottles and stools so the police could spot them after he saw them repeatedly stabbing a woman in the chest. Geoff Ho, who defenceless, went to the aid of a lone bouncer who was being attacked by terrorists was joined by countless acts of generosity and kindness to emergency services such as the plumber Paul Ashworth who cycled 21 miles from his home in the Surrey borders to London to hand out cold water to police working. 

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn have both released statements on the recent terror attacks and have clashed with Jeremy Corbyn suggesting May should resign over the London Bridge attacks. Theresa May has stated that there is too much tolerance of extremism in our country while Jeremy Corbyn has criticised May’s time as Home Secretary which oversaw cuts in police funding which he believes has now undermined public safety while May has countered that counter-terrorism police numbers were protected. 

The vote this Thursday is an important time to reaffirm our commitment to our precious right to engage in the democratic system. To be loud and to have our say, as tragedies such as this come from people who would silence tolerant democracies. A memorable man on interview said: “if me having a gin and tonic, flirting with handsome men, hanging out with brilliant women, offends these people so much I am going to do it more not less.” We need to revel in our right to speak and choose the representatives who can speak for us in parliament. Despite the political divisiveness that has peaked so close to a general election, the banding together of normal people who readily risked their own lives for others is a testament to the communities and community spirit that make up the UK and who are now needed, more than ever, to counter this erratic and heart-breaking evolution of terrorism.