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Over the past weekend (August 3-4), the largest riots in 13 years broke out in many cities in the UK, resulting in police injuries and property damage.

Protests of varying sizes took place in Hull, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent and Belfast, with people throwing bricks, looting shops and even attacking police in some places.

"Distrust of the country has spread like weeds." In response to the violent riots in many parts of the UK, the British "Sunday Mail" bluntly stated that the country is experiencing a "summer of discontent."

The incident happened less than a month after the new British cabinet was formed. In addition to the ongoing riots and potential tax increases, the new British government faces a lot of problems. Not long ago, the British Prime Minister's Office announced that the country was on the verge of "bankruptcy."

01‍

More than 100 protesters were arrested

The wave of protests in the UK stems from a murder that occurred earlier this week.

On July 29, a knife attack occurred in Southport, northwest England, where a 17-year-old man broke into a children's dance class with a knife, killing three children aged between 6 and 9 and injuring at least eight people. The incident shocked British society.

Hundreds of anti-immigrant protesters were involved in riots in towns after false information spread rapidly on social media claiming the knife attacker was a radical Muslim immigrant, Reuters reported.

Although British police have said the 17-year-old suspect, Axel Rudakubana, was born in Britain, protests by anti-immigrant demonstrators have continued and turned into vandalism, arson and looting.

In Nangang, hundreds of local people took to the streets to protest and clashed violently with the police who came to maintain order. The protesters threw Molotov cocktails and bricks at the police, and 39 police officers were injured in the conflict.

In London, thousands of protesters clashed violently with police near the Prime Minister's residence, and more than 100 protesters were arrested.

During protests in Sunderland, a police station building was looted and adjacent buildings were set on fire.

In Belfast, protesters smashed the windows of a cafe outside a mosque and threw bricks at journalists.

In Liverpool, about 1,000 anti-immigrant protesters clashed with counter-protesters, some of whom chanted hate speech.

Facing this series of emergencies, the new British government has shown a tough attitude. British Prime Minister Starmer condemned the related violent acts and said that protesters took advantage of social grief to create riots. He stressed that the government will fully support the police in combating extremists who try to spread hatred.

British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that anyone involved in criminal disorder and violence will pay a price and the community must feel safe. The Sunday Express also quoted Yvette Cooper as saying that the army is ready to be called in if the riots continue because of concerns that the police force may be overwhelmed and exhausted.

Meanwhile, British police have pledged to arrest and prosecute criminals quickly and said there is enough prison space in the UK to hold criminals.

02

Britain is 'bankrupt and broken'

The outside world noted that this incident happened less than a month after the new British cabinet was formed. Media comments said that the Labour Party led by the new British Prime Minister Starmer had hoped that the overwhelming victory in the general election would bring about a political honeymoon that would last for the entire summer. However, a series of imminent challenges caused the excitement generated by the new government to dissipate in less than a month.

Some analysts also pointed out that in addition to the ongoing riots and potential tax increases, the new British government faces many problems. If it fails to deliver clear results on the economy, the National Health Service and immigration issues, it will be difficult to eliminate the dissatisfaction in British society.

Just recently, British Prime Minister Starmer's office issued a statement saying that the review results would show that the UK was "bankrupt and fragmented" and blamed the previous government for this situation.

British Prime Minister Starmer (Photo source: Xinhua News Agency)

British Prime Minister Starmer's office conducted a comprehensive assessment three weeks into his term, expressing "shock" at the situation the Conservative Party faces after 14 years in power, and released an analysis of the "failed departments" of the previous government.

It is reported that British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will deliver a speech in the House of Commons outlining a "£20 billion gap in the public finances."

According to Reuters, Reeves will lay out the findings of the fiscal review in a statement to parliament that is expected to include many criticisms of the previous Conservative government, accusing it of "making unfunded spending promises in order to win public support" during its 14 years in power.

In response to the report, Prime Minister Starmer's office said in a statement: "The results of the assessment will show that the UK is bankrupt and has become 'fragmented'. This reveals the chaos caused by populist politics (referring to the Conservative Party's rule) on the economy and public services. It shows that the previous government made major funding commitments for this fiscal year, but it is unknown where the money will come from."

The Conservatives refuted the claim, saying Labour was simply looking for an excuse to push for tax increases.

Comprehensive source: China News Network, Xinhua News Agency

Editor: Chen Lixiang

Proofreader: Yang Lilin