Sarah Owen stated that the Conservative government's focus on small boat crossings and delays in asylum processing contributed to the unrest, warning that inflammatory rhetoric from politicians fuels community tensions. She noted, 'With a lot of the Reform MPs, their tone, their rhetoric, the language that they use, they know they're whistling to that particular tune.' This reflects the urgent need for improved community cohesion.
Owen pointed out the political implications of the backlog in asylum claims, suggesting it was a deliberate choice by the government: 'I can't help but think that the backlog was deliberate... It was a political choice they made. That's why a lot of people, including myself, were shocked but not surprised in August.' This highlights the connection between policy and social unrest.
Regarding the violent incidents linked to the unrest, Owen remarked that not only mosques were targeted, but also hotels housing asylum seekers. She stated, 'It wasn't going to just stay in a ballot box,' emphasizing how community anger and frustration manifested in violence and attacks during the riots.
She expressed interest in understanding why some diverse towns did not experience unrest, suggesting that prior experiences with far-right movements may have played a role. Owen noted that places like Luton, which have seen agitation, provide critical insights into maintaining community harmony.
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