Salah criticises Uefa tribute to ‘Palestinian Pele’: ‘Tell us how he died’
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has questioned Uefa’s tribute to the late Suleiman Al-Obeid, known as the “Palestinian Pele,” after the governing body failed to reference the circumstances surrounding his death this week.
The Palestine Football Association (PFA) said that Al-Obeid, 41, was killed by an Israeli strike targeting civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
In a brief post on the social media platform X, Uefa called the former national team member “a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.”
Salah responded: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”
Uefa was not immediately available to comment.
One of the Premier League’s biggest stars, the 33-year-old Egyptian Salah has previously advocated for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza in the nearly two-year-old war.
The PFA later posted a statement on its Facebook page attributed to Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin, calling Al-Obeid “proof of the joy that can flourish in the hearts of people despite hardship.
“He gave his talent and dedication to the children of Gaza and gave their dreams a hope to blossom despite the suffering,” the statement read.
“His death is a great loss to the world of football and to everyone who recognises the power of sport to unite people.”
The PFA said on Saturday that 325 players, coaches, administrators, referees and club board members in the Palestinian soccer community have died in the Israeli-Hamas conflict since October 2023.
The war began after Gaza’s dominant Palestinian militant group Hamas carried out a cross-border attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel’s subsequent air and ground campaign has leveled entire neighbourhoods in Gaza, displaced most of the population of 2.3 million and pushed the enclave to the brink of famine, according to the United Nations.
The UN says more than 1,000 people have been killed near aid distribution sites and aid convoys in Gaza since the launch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S. and Israel-backed aid distribution system, in late May.
Reuters
Emma Thompson jokes she could’ve ‘changed American history’ by saying yes to Trump
Emma Thompson reflected on the time Donald Trump invited her for dinner, joking in a new interview that had she accepted the date she “could have changed the course of American history!”
The 66-year-old Love Actually star recalled that the incident occurred while she was filming the 1998 political comedy Primary Colors, which was loosely based on Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign.
Variety reports that while speaking at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, Thompson remembered: “A phone rang in my trailer, and it was Donald Trump.
“I thought it was a joke. ‘Hi, it’s Donald Trump here.’ I said: ‘How can I help you?’ I thought he needed directions. He said: ‘I would love for you to stay in one of my beautiful places, and maybe we could have dinner.”
Thompson at that point had been going through a lengthy divorce from her first husband, fellow actor Kenneth Branagh.
“I realized that on that very day my divorce has finally come through,” continued Thompson. “I bet he has people looking all over for suitable people he could take out, for all these nice divorcees — I mean, he found the number of my trailer! That’s stalking! So yes, I could have gone on a date with Donald Trump. I could have changed the course of American history!”
Thompson previously shared the anecdote in 2017, telling Swedish television host Fredrik Skavlan: “I didn’t know what to do with myself. I was on my own and I just said: ‘OK, well I’ll get back to you! Thank you so much for ringing.’”
Skavlan joked:“You could be the First Lady. You could have stopped him!”
Thompson said at the time that she had still not met Trump in person. The Nanny McPhee star has been married to actor Greg Wise since 2003. They first met while they were filming Sense and Sensibility in 1995.
Earlier this year, Thompson told an audience in London that sex should be recommended by the National Health Service because it’s “so good for you”.
She was speaking at a screening of her 2022 film Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, in which her widowed character hires a sex worker (Daryl McCormack) to experience pleasure.
Thompson said during the Q&A: “We need to learn about our own response to: what if when you’re unwell, you can’t make connections, but you need sex? You need sex because it’s part of our health plan, if you like. It should really be on the NHS. It should. It’s so good for you.”
Sturgeon: Salmond may have leaked sexual misconduct inquiry details
Alex Salmond may have leaked details about an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against him, Nicola Sturgeon has claimed.
In an excerpt of her new memoir, Frankly, published by The Times, Ms Sturgeon insisted she was not the one who had leaked the outcome of the Scottish government investigation into her predecessor as first minister to the press.
She said: “It crossed my mind many times that it might have been Alex himself or someone acting on his behalf.
“To those with no experience of the dark arts of media manipulation, I know this will sound preposterous. However, in many ways it would have been classic Alex.
“I had known him to make these kinds of calculations in the past. If there is damaging information certain to emerge about you and there is nothing you can do to stop it, get it out in a way that gives you the best chance of controlling the narrative.”
Mr Salmond, who died last year, was investigated by the Scottish government in 2018 after two women made allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
The findings of that investigation were leaked to The Daily Record on the day before they were due to be published, prompting Mr Salmond to launch a judicial review of the handling of the inquiry.
The Scottish government initially defended the judicial review, before dropping its defence.
But a separate police investigation resulted in a criminal trial in 2020 in which Mr Salmond was cleared of all 14 charges, being found not guilty on 12 counts while prosecutors withdrew another charge and one was found not proven.
The next year Mr Salmond, who had been Scottish first minister between 2007 and 2014 as leader of the SNP, founded the pro-independence Alba Party.
In her memoir, Ms Sturgeon said Mr Salmond had informed her that he was being investigated in April 2018 and initially appeared to be “upset and mortified” before he “became cold”.
Claiming he “effectively admitted the substance of one of the complaints, but claimed that it had been a ‘misunderstanding’”, Ms Sturgeon said it had been “evident” that Mr Salmond “wanted me to intervene” to stop or divert the investigation.
She added that her refusal to do so turned him against her and “made the break-up of one of the most successful partnerships in modern British politics all but inevitable”.
Ms Sturgeon also accused Mr Salmond of attempting to “cast himself as the victim” and being “prepared to traumatise, time and again, the women at the centre of it all”.
She said: “A conspiracy against Alex would have needed a number of women deciding to concoct false allegations, without any obvious motive for doing so.
“It would then have required criminal collusion between them, senior ministers and civil servants, the police and the Crown.
“That is what he was alleging. The ‘conspiracy’ was a fabrication, the invention of a man who wasn’t prepared to reflect honestly on his own conduct.”
In other extracts, published on Friday, Ms Sturgeon discussed her arrest in 2023, describing it as “mental torture”, her miscarriage in 2010 and her sexuality.
Nicola Sturgeon served as Scottish first minister between 2014 and 2023. Her memoir, Frankly, will be published on Thursday.
Raducanu claims straight-sets victory in first match with new coach
Emma Raducanu is through to the third round of the Cincinnati Open after a straight-sets win over Olga Danilovic.
The British No 1 marked her first match since Rafael Nadal’s former coach Francis Roig joined her team with a confident 6-3 6-2 victory.
Roig may not have been overly impressed when Raducanu was broken to love in the first game, but the 2021 US Open champion responded well.
After four breaks of serve between the pair in the opening six games, Raducanu came from 30-0 down to grab another for 5-3.
She had won seven points in a row to bring up three set points and took the first with an ace.
In the second, Raducanu gave her Serbian opponent nothing for free, drawing out errors and eventually earning a break for 3-2.
She did not drop another game, wrapping up a fine victory in an hour and 20 minutes.
The 22-year-old will face world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the third round, after the Belarusian repelled an early challenge from Marketa Vondrousova en route to a 7-5 6-1 win.
Earlier, Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek eased through with a 6-1 6-4 victory over Anastasia Potapova.
Australian Open champion Madison Keys saved two match points before beating Eva Lys 1-6 6-3 7-6 (1).
In the ATP draw, Jannik Sinner, playing his first match since claiming a maiden Wimbledon title, dismantled Daniel Elahi Galan 6-1 6-1.
PA
Hosepipe ban warning as heatwave temperatures to soar over 30C
Tens of thousands of people have been warned to restrict their water use and only turn on the taps when essential, just days before the UK is set to be gripped by its fourth heatwave.
South East Water (SEW) has told customers in Sussex that water reservoirs in the area are “falling quicker and earlier than usual”.
People in the area have been asked to only use water for essential use, such as for drinking, washing and cooking.
SEW already has a hosepipe ban in place in Sussex and Kent, but has warned it is monitoring water supplies in parts of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to see if further restrictions are needed.
More than 8.5 million UK households are currently under hosepipe bans, with Southern Water, Thames Water and Yorkshire Water also bringing in restrictions following a spell of warm weather in July.
The latest warning comes as a yellow heat health alert has been issued for large parts of the UK next week, with temperatures set to soar past 30C in some areas.
The UK Health Security Agency heat warning, cautioning “significant impacts” across health and social care services, is in place from 12pm on Monday until 6pm on Wednesday. The alert covers Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, the East of England, the South East and the South West.
Temperatures are set to hit 27C in parts of southern England over the weekend, and then rise to over 30C in parts of central, southern and eastern England on Monday and Tuesday.
Ahead of the latest heatwave, a spokesperson for South East Water warned: “Our surface water reservoirs, Ardingly and Arlington, are an important source of water and are falling quicker and earlier than usual.
“Most of the water in them is taken from the nearby rivers, whose flow is much lower than normal because of multiple heatwaves.
“The reservoirs have not been this low at this time of year since the drought of 2022 and, with more warm weather due very soon, we’re asking people to protect resources and keep water use around the home to essential purposes only – namely drinking, washing and cooking.”
Steven Keates at the Met Office said: “We’re confident that temperatures will increase markedly by the start of next week, reaching the low 30s Celsius in parts of England on Monday and perhaps the mid-30s in a few places on Tuesday.
“However, the length of this warm spell is still uncertain, and it is possible that high temperatures could persist further into next week, particularly in the south”.
The fourth heatwave this year follows one in June and two in July. Authorities register a heatwave when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold.
This threshold varies depending on the area, from 25C in Scotland to 28C in London.
Off the beaten track: discover ten British hidden gem destinations
While big cities and buzzy coastal destinations have their place, sometimes it’s nice to explore somewhere a little more under the radar, and Britain has lots of travel treasures to discover. From overlooked cities with a burgeoning cultural scene, vibrant market towns and revitalised seaside resorts, there’s somewhere to satisfy every type of traveller. The best part? You can reach many of these hidden gems easily by rail.
Travelling by train is a convenient, fun and greener way to arrive at your destination. Railcard offers a third off rail travel around Britain. With nine Railcards to choose from, saving customers an average of £172 a year, it pays for itself in no time. Find the one for you at railcard.co.uk. What’s more, Railcard have created a handy online calculator to determine what you could save – simply enter your journey details and the relevant Railcard and it will calculate the discount you can get.
Read on for some fresh travel inspiration and get ready for a season of discovery…
A working fishing port on Cornwall’s south coast, Looe is one of the most idyllic destinations in the UK and famous for its day-caught fish. If it looks familiar, it might be because it was used as a filming location for BBC drama Beyond Paradise. The scenic Looe Valley train line has been bringing visitors to this part of the world since Victorian times. Formerly two independent towns, East and West Looe, they are now joined across the river by a bridge. East Looe beach is a picture-perfect location where you can enjoy swimming, crabbing along the harbour walls, and explore the uniquely shaped Banjo pier. A boat trip takes you to Looe Island, a wildlife sanctuary where you can see grey seals sunbathing on the rocks. Back on dry land, the town’s narrow winding streets are perfect for a gentle meander.
Nearest station: Looe, about a 10 minute walk to town
This trendy Somerset town is known for its strong community spirit, award winning markets and independent shops and restaurants – plus stunning surrounding countryside – making it the perfect place for a relaxing weekend. The Cheese and Grain is a cultural hub for the town, attracting both classic bands and buzzy new acts (The Foo Fighters and Paul McCartney have played Glastonbury warm-up gigs here), as well as hosting a weekly flea market. Talking of markets, Frome has plenty, including an award-winning farmer’s market on the second Saturday of each month, and the legendary Frome Independent on the first Sunday of every month, which showcases the best craftspeople, designers, food producers and vintage traders in the South West. Hungry? There’s loads of tempting options, from trendy street food destination The Station, neighbourhood restaurants like Little Walcot and Bistro Lotte and buzzy tapas bar The High Pavement.
Nearest station: Frome, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre
Fast becoming Kent’s buzziest seaside destination, a vibrant Old Town, a great culinary scene and a glorious sandy beach are just a few of the things that make Folkestone great for a weekend break. The Leas, a mile-long stretch of clifftop promenade, is as perfect a place for a stroll now as it was in Victorian times. Meanwhile the town’s harbour arm is enjoying a new lease of life as the place to go for delicious street food, independent galleries and quirky shops. Food-wise, there’s everything from destination restaurant Rocksalt (try and snag a spot on the terrace) to acclaimed seafood stall Chummys. The town has the largest outdoor urban collection of contemporary art in the UK, so look out for pieces like Cornelia Parker’s ‘The Folkestone Mermaid’ on Sunny Sands beach and Anthony Gormley’s eerie statue under the harbour arm. If you’re in town between July and October the streets will come alive with artwork thanks to the triennale festival.
Nearest station: Folkestone Central, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre
This vibrant Devon market town is picture-perfect, with a riverside location, colourful houses and a castle looming over the town. The steep climb up to Totnes Castle is worth it for the views of the town below – as well as over the dramatic Dartmoor countryside. The River Dart runs through the town, and is a great spot for kayaking, paddleboarding or just a gentle riverside stroll. Take a 30 minute walk to Dartington Estate, to see its stunning Grade II* listed gardens, deer park and cinema in a 14th century barn. Totnes itself has a thriving arts scene with plenty of small galleries, as well as independent and eco-friendly (Totnes prides itself on being one of Britain’s greenest towns) shops and cafes. And if the train ride down gave you a taste for locomotives, the South Devon Railway offers steam train rides through the gorgeous Devon countryside.
Nearest station: Totnes, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre
Bradford is the 2025 City of Culture, meaning there’s lots of exciting things happening this year, including the reopening of the National Science and Media Museum, with its multiple exhibition spaces and cinema screens. Loading Bay is a pop-up arts venue in a disused storage depot that will host music, comedy, art exhibitions and immersive theatre shows throughout 2025. And in July a brand new shopping and cultural destination, Darley Street Market, opened in the city.
Bradford is also a great base to explore some of West Yorkshire’s other highlights, including Victorian model village (and UNESCO World Heritage site) Saltaire, which is less than 15 minutes away by train. Salts Mill, the huge textile factory around which the village was designed, is now a fantastic complex of galleries, shops and restaurants – and home to a large collection of David Hockey’s work. Meanwhile at Keighley, a 20 minute journey from Bradford, you can catch a performance of The Railway Children (15 July – 7 Sept) on the same tracks where the classic film was shot.
Nearest Station: Bradford Forster Square or Bradford Interchange, in the city centre
If not under the radar then certainly underrated, this charming Welsh seaside town has loads to offer visitors, blending natural beauty with a rich history and a vibrant creative energy. Surrounded by the stunning Cambrian mountain range, the town has not one but two glorious beaches, linked by a mile-long promenade. At the northern end of this you’ll find the famous cliff top railway, which takes you up to a summit with spectacular views of Cardigan Bay. Perched on a hill in an impressive building, The National Library of Wales also has great vistas – and exhibitions dedicated to Welsh history and literature. Aberystwyth Arts Centre is the largest of its kind in Wales, presenting a programme of music, visual art, dance, film and more. Aber – as locals call it – also has a burgeoning food scene, with highlights including Arabic Flavour, whose menu is inspired by Lebanon and Greece cuisine, and popular tapas and wine bar Ultracomida.
Nearest station: Aberystwyth, about a five minute walk to the town centre
This underrated city is undergoing something of a cultural renaissance. In 2021 it was the City of Culture and there’s plenty of that to soak up. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum has displays dedicated to visual arts, archaeology, social history and natural history – and a dinosaur in residence, Dippy, on loan from The Natural History Museum. Coventry Music Museum celebrates the city’s musical heritage, including the legendary 2-Tone scene, while Coventry Transport Museum (get 2FOR1 entry with National Rail Days Out Guide) has the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles in the world. Meanwhile, the former industrial space FarGo village is a must-visit hub of indie shops, restaurants, street food and cultural events. Finally, no visit is complete without seeing Coventry Cathedral. The original medieval building was largely destroyed in 1940 by The Blitz, and its preserved ruins now sit alongside the new cathedral – a marvel of contemporary architecture designed by Basil Spence and opened in 1962. The modern building has a stunning 26-metre high stained glass window made up of 198 glass panels — no wonder it was once voted the nation’s favourite 20th century building.
Nearest station: Coventry, about a 10 minute walk to the city centre
Home to cobbled streets, an impressive cathedral and a beautiful castle, Lincoln combines a rich history with a vibrant cultural scene and stunning surrounding scenery, all in a compact and easy-to-navigate city. The nearly 1,000 year old Lincoln Cathedral was once the tallest building in the world, and while it might no longer hold that accolade it’s still an awe inspiring work of architecture. From there it’s only a short walk to the castle, built by William The Conqueror, which holds one of only four remaining copies of the Magna Carta. Steep Hill is, as the name suggests, a famous street with a sharp incline – but its array of shops and cafes make it worth the effort. It’s also where you’ll find beloved pie shop Hobbsons, where the only issue is deciding which flavour to pick. If you need to walk off your lunch, Lincoln Arboretum, nestled in the heart of the city, is a delightful place for a stroll.
Nearest station: Lincoln Central, about a 15 minute walk to the Cathedral
Often overlooked in favour of its better-known Scottish cousins, there are plenty of things to see and do in this historic city. Stirling Castle (get 25% off entry with National Rail Days Out Guide), the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, is one of the most historically important in Scotland, while Bannockburn (get 2FOR1 entry with National Rail), two miles south of the city, is the site of one of the country’s most famous battles, won by Robert The Bruce. Then there’s the Wallace Monument, which towers over the city, commemorating the life of local hero William Wallace. It’s a short bus ride or hour’s walk from the station, plus a 246-step winding staircase to reach the top – but the views are well worth the effort. The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Gallery has a large collection of rare and interesting artifacts – including the world’s oldest football (made from a pig’s bladder). In Stirling’s cobbled Old Town you’ll find plenty of cosy pubs, cool cafes and quirky shops to explore, and for a family-friendly attraction, Blair Drummond Safari Park is a half hour bus ride from the city centre.
Nearest station: Stirling, in the city centre
Nestled in the scenic Shropshire Hills is this beautiful market town known for its history, food scene, and stunning landscapes. Boasting fascinating medieval architecture, vibrant markets, and surrounding forests, Ludlow offers the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Ludlow Castle, which dates back to the 11th century, is one of the best examples of medieval ruins in England and has incredible vistas over the Shropshire countryside. You can also enjoy fine views from the tower of Saint Laurence’s Church, once you’ve climbed the 201 steps to the top. To get away from the crowds, a four-mile circular walk will take you to peaceful Mortimer Forest and back. Meanwhile Ludlow itself is full of antique, interior, craft and gift shops, as well as delis, cafes and artisan food shops. The town square hosts a market four days a week, with a farmer’s market on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The famous Ludlow Farmshop, two miles outside the centre, is a haven for foodies, with a kitchen restaurant, pub and distillery also on site.
Nearest station: Ludlow, about a five minute walk to the town centre
Enjoy great value British adventures by train
From stunning nature and the great outdoors, to culture, cuisine and incredible scenery, there’s no doubt Britain has it all in spades, and these unmissable adventures are just a simple, enjoyable train ride away. So there’s never been a better time to start planning some Great British getaways, from day trips to weekends away or a longer staycation.
With Railcard, whether you’re travelling solo or with a friend, on a couples weekend or off on holiday with the family, you can save on all sorts of train journeys around Great Britain. Railcard helps you save a third off rail travel and for just £35 for the year, it pays for itself in no time. With nine different Railcards available, find the one for you at railcard.co.uk. What’s more, you can enjoy 2FOR1 and other offers with National Rail’s Days Out Guide when you travel by train. So make this your year to get out, experience and explore everything on your doorstep and enjoy truly great value getaways.
Couple featured in The Salt Path question ‘disappointing’ depiction
A couple who were included in Raynor Winn’s now-disputed memoir The Salt Path have claimed that their encounter with the author and her husband doesn’t add up.
Joanne and David Parsons, who are mentioned in the bestselling 2018 book, are alleged to have met Raynor and Moth Winn at a cafe on the South West Coast Path and introduced themselves using their real names, Sally and Timothy.
The two couples, who had bonded for an hour in the Fat Apples Cafe, near Porthallow in Cornwall, after sharing their health issues, were both said to be embarking on the 630-mile hike from Somerset to Dorset.
However, after reading about their chance meeting with the Winns, the Parsons, who are from Australia, found several discrepancies.
Not only had Raynor Winn described the Parsons as well off, but she also claimed that they used B&Bs when the weather turned bad and had given away their tent. Winn also claimed that they had met in 2013. The Parsons dispute this, saying that they had met in 2015.
Speaking to The Observer, Joanne Parsons said that she contacted Raynor Winn after reading an article about The Salt Path in 2018.
Joanne says she wrote in an email: “When we saw the picture of you both in the article, we kept looking at each other saying: ‘That’s Sally and Tim!’ But it can’t be as you would have told us you were homeless and you said you were walking the other way! And why did you give yourselves false names? Or did you reinvent yourselves while on the path? Would love to know.”
She said that she also questioned Winn about her husband’s illness and why she wrote that they had ditched their tent at a charity shop. “We worked out we were happier wild camping and only went to B&Bs when the weather was really bad,” she added.
In response to the Parsons’ claims, Winn is said to have written that although she and Moth had walked the Salt Path in 2013, they then walked part of it again in 2015, which is when they met Joanne and David.
Explaining the date change, she reportedly wrote: “We didn’t explain any of that [in the book], as it all just seemed too complicated.” She also apologised for misremembering the story about the tent.
Joanne told The Observer: “We had a very good encounter with them. And that’s why all this is quite disappointing.”
The Independent has contacted Winn’s representatives for comment.
Last month, The Observer published an investigation that raised several doubts about the truth behind Winn’s story. It was claimed that large portions of the book could have been embellished, as well as that the central premise of hardship and betrayal could have been built on a fiction of its own.
The investigation claimed that the book misrepresented how the couple lost their home, which, according to Winn, was due to a bad business investment.
However, The Observer reported that the couple lost the property after Winn allegedly defrauded her employer of £64,000 in 2008, which she apparently attempted to repay by taking out a loan from a relative.
In a statement provided to The Independent, Winn said at the time: “[The] Observer article is highly misleading. We are taking legal advice and won’t be making any further comments at this time.
“The Salt Path lays bare the physical and spiritual journey Moth and I shared, an experience that transformed us completely and altered the course of our lives. This is the true story of our journey.”
Britain isn’t broken, but people believe it is, and that is a problem
Fraser Nelson, the former editor of The Spectator, the Conservative weekly, is having a remarkable afterlife as a great defender of the Labour government. He has gone head-to-head with Nigel Farage over the Reform leader’s claim that we are living in “lawless Britain”.
There is less crime in Britain today than there has been for decades, Nelson pointed out at one of Farage’s media conferences this week.
This crime reduction is nothing to do with people not bothering to report crime to the police any more, because the figures come from the Crime Survey for England and Wales, a large survey of a representative sample of the population that asks people if they have been the victim of a crime in the previous 12 months. The number of crimes has fallen by four-fifths since 1995.
Farage waved the Crime Survey aside, saying it was “discredited” because it does not include shoplifting. It doesn’t, because it asks people about crimes of which they have personally been the victim, and shoplifting has indeed increased. But that does not mean the Crime Survey is discredited. On the contrary, it is the best and most reliable evidence, and it is especially useful for measuring trends over time, because it is not affected by changes in the way police record crime.
What did Farage say to that? “We all know that crime has risen significantly over the course of the last few years.” A big welcome back, please, to that dread phrase, “we all know”. For years, I would point out that four public inquiries had found that Tony Blair told the truth about Iraq, only to be told that “we all know” he didn’t.
As Nelson comments: “This is the politics of perception.” As he points out in an excellent article in The Times today, it is the same with road safety, air pollution, sewage, and living standards. “We all know” they are getting worse, when in fact they are getting better.
So it does not matter to most people what the Crime Survey says. Most people believe that crime is rising, and the numbers who believe that have not changed over the years that crime has been falling. People are influenced by reports of terrible things happening to other people and misremember their own experience. Anything more than five or 10 years ago was a golden age when there was some decent music in the charts and Mars bars weren’t behind perspex screens.
Why, though, has what “we all know” become so much worse in the past year? Probably because some highly visible crimes have increased: shoplifting, phone thefts and graffiti. These are crimes that make people feel threatened by disorder, even as more of us than ever report feeling safe walking alone in their local area at night.
What is corrosive is the perception – “we all know” – that the authorities are not securely in control. Behind that perception lies the reality of asylum-seeker hotels and a government that is powerless to stop the boats. What has changed since the election is that Farage is more active, at the head of a social-media movement and a TV channel, GB News, dedicated to portraying the country as a hellhole.
The intensity of this campaign to spread fear and insecurity seems to have reached a critical mass that is dangerous to Keir Starmer. He cannot fight it with facts, or not only with facts, because the answer will always be that “we all know” that the facts are wrong.
As Ian Leslie, the advertising executive turned social commentator, says, “Instead of asking, ‘Why are people angry?’ we should ask, ‘What are we missing?’”
What the government needs is to take visible and forceful action on the things that people care about, the shoplifting, phone snatching and graffiti, but above all on asylum hotels and stopping the boats.
So far, Starmer has tried to do all these things, but limply. There have been roundtables at No 10 with the police and representatives of the retail industry and phone companies. Even these feeble initiatives have been undermined by people in authority doing foolish things, such as the police in Wales telling off a shopkeeper for calling thieves “scumbags” and Andy Lord, the London Underground boss, who accused citizen graffiti-removers of defacing trains themselves so that they could pose as heroes for cleaning them up.
Most importantly, Starmer now has a treaty with France to return some of the cross-Channel migrants, but it will take a long time to build up to returning all or nearly all those who arrive, at which point the crossings would stop – and it is not clear that the French are in it for the long haul.
One thing that Tony Blair understood, as he faced spikes of street crime, anti-social behaviour and asylum-seeker numbers, was the importance of “grip”. It may sound like annoying spin-speak, but it was critical to communicating that he understood how people felt and he was doing something about it.
Starmer should be grateful to Fraser Nelson, formerly of The Spectator, for pointing out that we are safer, richer and healthier than ever before – but if the perception is that we are not, the government has to get a grip on what “we all know”.