Politically speaking – Fallout from the death of George Floyd in USA

The images of his brutal killing have horrified people across the world. Like many, I was disturbed by the video of what happened to Mr Floyd, and since then have been following the case closely.

The police officer that killed him has been charged with second degree murder and the three other officers have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.

Mr Floyd’s revolting death is a reminder of the existence of racism and abuse of powers by authorities that should be protecting everyone. Being of mixed race, I have been subjected to racism throughout my own life, I remember vividly being described as a ‘Paki’ and ‘Mongrel’ when I was a child and not fully understanding what that meant.

Protests are a valid means of voicing our grievances in a democracy, it is a fundamental right, one we should all hold dear and defend vigorously.

Countless lives have been laid down in the defence of our liberties and we should never forget their sacrifice for us all. Many who have attached themselves to the Black Lives Matter movement attack values we hold dear such as equality, rule of law, pluralism and tolerance. I have long fought for these values at home and overseas in some of the most dangerous places on the planet and believe that all lives, irrespective of race, colour, creed or sexuality matter, and should be protected. The agenda advocated is largely alien to the United Kingdom and has little regard for our cherished values.

Memorials to the heroes who fought and died for liberty, including the Cenotaph, statues of Churchill and Lincoln, who have done more than anyone else in the modern era to defend liberty and emancipate millions from the tyranny of slavery and fascism, were desecrated senselessly by the mob on the 76th Anniversary of D-Day.

Those responsible for defacing these memorials do not stand for freedom, liberty or justice.

There exists no excuse in a free country which is governed and based upon the rule of law, democracy and justice for violence or violent riot. If you want to make real meaningful change, I encourage you to join peaceful pressure groups, political parties and find solutions, engage with your fellow citizens, run for office and make the world a better place.

During these protests, scores of police officers were deliberately attacked for doing their duty. They deserve our support, respect and admiration for the service they perform. Violence against the police is a criminal offence and I believe that no quarter should be given when it comes to the punishment of these perpetrators.

The guidance we all have abided by to protect the NHS and save lives appears to mean nothing to these protestors.

These mobs are the best biological vector for the coronavirus to spread further and drastically increases the chances of a second spike, or at the very least, a longer, more painful recovery.

No thoughts have gone to the efforts of our heroic doctors and nurses, who have risked their lives to care for the sick and dying. Any deaths from a second spike, and the economic and social damage wrought upon our nation is the responsibility of those who gathered in these mobs to protest.