Rupert Matthews is the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire and Rutland
The violent unrest we have seen in towns and cities across the UK over the past week has been horrifying. In Leicester city centre we saw a stand-off between rival groups of protesters by our historic clock tower. I pay tribute to police officers and staff involved in the proactive operation to de-escalate the situation.
With disorder on the streets threatening social cohesion, I believe it is vital that Parliament is recalled immediately so we can hold the Government to account and stand in solidarity with the communities impacted. There have been racially motivated attacks, buildings set on fire, people attacked in the street and thugs terrorising and targeting places of worship. It is completely unacceptable and the British public have every right to be worried.
But Priti Patel has stood out from the crowd and shown leadership and experience in being the main voice in calls for the return of Parliament. It is this sort of strength the Conservatives need in Opposition and Patel has shown she has the right tools to lead our party effectively in such difficult times.
As Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, I have noticed some key misjudgments from the Government in what is their first real test since the General Election. The Prime Minister has been too slow out the blocks to respond to this rapid deterioration in public order. He has left undone actions that could have helped to limit the damage done and quell the discontent, including better coordination between government, PCCs, and national policing bodies, and convening COBR more quickly.
But what has been clear is that Patel’s powerful intervention has demonstrated she has the experience and strength to lead the Opposition. The national policing bodies and wider criminal justice system are accountable to the public through government ministers. Parliament must be able to scrutinise how they respond to this significant escalation in violence and disorder, through proper Parliamentary debate.
Patel has shown her strength of character and leadership as the leading voice for Parliament to be recalled. I believe this to be essential. There will be several difficult decisions the Prime Minister and Home Secretary have to make in the coming days that require scrutiny, and Parliament is the proper forum for this to be done.
This dramatic escalation in civil unrest is deeply concerning and Patel has shown she has the right blend of experience and conviction to hold the Government to account. That is why I am backing her to be the next leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party.
Rupert Matthews is the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire and Rutland
The violent unrest we have seen in towns and cities across the UK over the past week has been horrifying. In Leicester city centre we saw a stand-off between rival groups of protesters by our historic clock tower. I pay tribute to police officers and staff involved in the proactive operation to de-escalate the situation.
With disorder on the streets threatening social cohesion, I believe it is vital that Parliament is recalled immediately so we can hold the Government to account and stand in solidarity with the communities impacted. There have been racially motivated attacks, buildings set on fire, people attacked in the street and thugs terrorising and targeting places of worship. It is completely unacceptable and the British public have every right to be worried.
But Priti Patel has stood out from the crowd and shown leadership and experience in being the main voice in calls for the return of Parliament. It is this sort of strength the Conservatives need in Opposition and Patel has shown she has the right tools to lead our party effectively in such difficult times.
As Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, I have noticed some key misjudgments from the Government in what is their first real test since the General Election. The Prime Minister has been too slow out the blocks to respond to this rapid deterioration in public order. He has left undone actions that could have helped to limit the damage done and quell the discontent, including better coordination between government, PCCs, and national policing bodies, and convening COBR more quickly.
But what has been clear is that Patel’s powerful intervention has demonstrated she has the experience and strength to lead the Opposition. The national policing bodies and wider criminal justice system are accountable to the public through government ministers. Parliament must be able to scrutinise how they respond to this significant escalation in violence and disorder, through proper Parliamentary debate.
Patel has shown her strength of character and leadership as the leading voice for Parliament to be recalled. I believe this to be essential. There will be several difficult decisions the Prime Minister and Home Secretary have to make in the coming days that require scrutiny, and Parliament is the proper forum for this to be done.
This dramatic escalation in civil unrest is deeply concerning and Patel has shown she has the right blend of experience and conviction to hold the Government to account. That is why I am backing her to be the next leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party.