Burnham beware: Act now, or we’ll face riots and looting like France | The Daily T podcast

Summary

Camilla Tominey and Tim Stanley discuss recent rioting and looting in France and whether similar unrest could occur in Britain. They argue that both countries face pressures including youth unemployment, social and economic inequality, migration, and political disaffection. Stanley says the UK has already experienced serious riots, while France’s long tradition of protest does not make arson and looting inevitable or routine. They also note reports of protests elsewhere in Europe.

The hosts debate Andy Burnham’s reported interest in closer EU ties. Stanley argues that the unrest challenges the idea of Europe as a stable alternative to Britain, and that rejoining the EU would not, by itself, solve the UK’s problems.

Emmanuel Macron and French politics

Their assessments of Emmanuel Macron differ. Stanley credits him with achievements in areas such as diplomacy, tourism, and energy, but says France’s political system makes it difficult to build consensus or enact policy, leaving many voters feeling unrepresented. Tominey is more critical, portraying Macron as an inconsistent centrist whose record has disappointed voters and helped strengthen both the far left and the nationalist right.

The causes and meaning of the unrest

They discuss the origins and wider meaning of the unrest, including anger over school conditions and unequal access to education and social advancement. Stanley says young people may be seeking a fair chance to compete rather than simply demanding “free stuff.” He also points to the difficulty many young Britons face in reaching milestones such as home ownership and starting a family. Both hosts suggest that some looting is opportunistic, while broader grievances help explain the climate in which unrest occurs.

Migration, identity, and belonging

Migration and national identity are central to their discussion. Tominey cites figures she says show recent French migration below the UK’s, while noting that immigration has been part of France’s experience for longer. Stanley argues that France’s civic-national identity is under strain and that political conflict is increasingly taking on an ethnic dimension.

The hosts also debate whether a relatively accessible sense of Englishness, and institutions such as the monarchy and the Church, could help foster belonging in Britain. They warn that those institutions have lost confidence, and that telling people either that their heritage excludes them or that English identity does not exist can alienate them.

Presenters

Camilla Tominey and Tim Stanley.