The vandalism in Britain

[sidogar]

Editorial Khaleej times
11 August 2011 Britain is the new theatre of violence. Irrespective of the fact as to what causes are behind that makes it burn and bleed, London has a daunting challenge at hand.
The assumption that its roots are in growing disparities in wealth and opportunity is certainly a debatable issue, and demands of the government to take a holistic look at the situation and desist from brushing it aside as a hate-act or racist venture on the part of opportunists. The magnitude of mayhem suggests that there are parallels and similar sentiments across the country, and is incidentally not isolated to the trigger-happy act of a policeman who killed a non-white suspect last week.

The ransacking on the streets from London to Birmingham, however, depicts a serious economic revulsion. It has a lot to do apparently with the policies of the government, and the recent decision to cut back on spending and squeeze the welfare net. Though one may not see Arab Spring undercurrents swirling across Britain, as by all means it remains the cathedral of ballot and free speech, it goes without saying that resources and human potential of this great country has not been tapped to the best of its sovereigns. It is here that the problem lies and needs to be dealt with in a humble manner. Apart from economics, Britain has to revisit its social contract with its multi-ethnic mosaic and come up with due adaptations in ensuring a level-playing field for the stakeholders of the society.

British Prime Minister David Cameron who had hardly come out of the phone-hacking slur is back in the woods as he fights on to restore socio-economic peace at home. That is evident from the rare option of summoning the House of Commons to debate the crisis at hand, and ponder over its far-reaching ramifications. 
The vandalism on the streets is highly condemnable but at the same time the government can do its homework by not only restoring normalcy from the law and order point of view but also doling out a phased out package of incorporation to assimilate and win over the disgruntled lot, out there in the shadows. London has to do some 
soul-searching.