Britain’s recent woes could become Ireland’s catastrophe

WHO ever said nothing ever happens in August? The riots in Britain have caused bewilderment and outrage in equal measure. The image of London has been severely damaged. But before the media turns to its next big thing, there are a few points worth bearing in mind about what we have seen on our TV screens.

1. This is nothing new

The English have been periodically rioting since at least the 14th century and the Peasants’ Revolt. The last mass outbreak of riots in Britain was far, far worse. Back in 1981, with monetarist austerity really biting, Mrs Thatcher had to contend with a much more serious situation. What’s more, she had the support of only a minority of her cabinet colleagues and her stock with the British public at large was far lower than David Cameron’s is today. And the riots then were more sustained. They went on for months, not days. Contrary to her reputation, her answer was a massive dose of public spending, particularly in Liverpool. The impressive Albert Docks development is the legacy. Meanwhile, the nearby streets of Toxteth are scarcely any less mean than they were 30 years ago.