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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favorite stories for this weekly newsletter.
Let's understand this latest political frenzy about fixing gang scandals for what it is. The sudden alarming concern among politicians for the rights of a group of child rape victims – only those abused by traditional Pakistani men – is beyond criticism.
Conservative leaders who have failed to implement the recommendations of the latest research on child sexual abuse are urgently looking for a new one. The runner-up to the Tory leader has alleged abuse “foreign cultures” (were they foreign traditions when the perpetrators were Roman Catholic or Anglican?). A UK MP is calling for an inquiry into “why young white British girls are being raped by men of Pakistani heritage”. The goal is clear and motivated by competition the ethno-nationalist love of Elon Musk.
It's a nightmare for those who use it. They may assert their claim to a new national inquiry, so that they can then be further praised, or cry for cover. And it plays into a broader agenda of destroying faith in the institutions of free society.
We can see the lie in many claims. Gangs preying on young girls in towns such as Rotherham, Oxford, Oldham and Telford have not been ignored. There are many questions about the last decade. Far from being exposed by street thug Tommy Robinson, it was exposed by The Times – you don't get a more mainstream media outlet than that. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, then director of public prosecutions, actually it was praised for working to confirm judgments.
But, once you get past the cynicism, here's the thing. These atrocities are real. The abuse was sickening and constant; Terrible details. Ordinary people fail in shocking ways. Misconceptions about the fact that a high number of gangs consisted of men of Pakistani origin and the fear of being seen as racist were prioritized, shamefully, over pursuing the perpetrators. Most important was the contempt of the police and the authorities for the victims who treated them as low class people.
Discussions about other, more specific, gang crime investigations remain unclear. In Starmer's words “reasonable people” would disagree. The main facts and common patterns of failure in abuse cases (strong communities of abusers, power imbalances and neglect of victims) are now well known. There have been many domestic inquiries although it is not entirely accurate that this issue has been fully covered by Alexis Jay's extensive research. There is merit in the view that it would be better to continue implementing his suggestions.
And yet, making these points is knowing that it will not do. The case against research is very difficult. It's hard to believe that the government's line will hold – though, it's a given data and incidents of white criminals, there is no case for limiting such research only to perpetrators of a single race.
This explosion also highlights something else. Politics can no longer be conducted as it used to be. Musk's direct and cunning intervention on behalf of the hard right in western nations – a form of Maga imperialism – and the power of TikTok, and Meta's withdrawal from fact-checking and moderation mark the final stage of the dismantling of the old rules. speech. Musk has been increasingly hostile to Starmer since his arrest in connection with the social media posts that fueled the Southport riots.
Gone are the days of snubbing, or debating arguments with one judge's speech broadcast live on television. The debate is no longer focused on a few controllable media. Unacceptable decisions cannot be passed quietly to the public. Social media and podcasts that shape the media agenda operate without rules. The fight is being waged with speed, excessive language, misinformation and exaggerated posts. The challenge for mainstream parties is that political success requires a strategic approach that does not lend itself to many things, statistics or technical details. It makes it more difficult to manage.
This cruel world requires almost immediate consideration of the issues that inform us in general. Another reason why the demand for research is so strong is that it seems reasonable, it values ordinary citizens on the part of activists.
The majority of the country is not against immigrants. It is supportive governance, supportive unity and, above all, fairness. The people will not tolerate being trampled under the grave evil for reasons of racial sensitivity. They expect normal standards to be enforced – the epithet “two-tier Keir” is too damning for Starmer.
The final failure has been the pace of change at the national level. Questions are taken, suggestions are accepted and then put on hold. Attention goes elsewhere. Jay's research lasted seven years and two have already passed. The data is not enough. A key motion in the new criminal case for failing to act on reports of abuse was not brought. The Conservatives woke up and The staff workedafter Musk. Citizens are rightfully disgusted and now have a way to make themselves heard unfiltered.
This saga is a bad example of how Musk has brought internet politics to its inevitable conclusion. The landscape has changed irreversibly. Unless senior leaders wish to move forward in a non-recommendative approach to evaluation, they need a new playbook. The digital landscape will mercilessly punish those who remain in analog mode.