The political fate of Home Secretary Suella Braverman is hanging in the balance as she faces growing calls to resign after writing a highly controversial article criticising the Metropolitan Police and disparaging pro-Palestine demonstrators. [1]
In an opinion piece published in The Times on Wednesday, Braverman labelled the country’s pro-Palestine demonstrations as hate marches and criticised the police for taking a perceived lenient stance while being tough on far-right marches. [1]
The remarks, which were not sanctioned by No. 10, have stirred tension within the Conservative Party, across the UK’s political establishment, and among the public.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson confirmed the lack of approval, emphasising the ministerial code’s requirement for media interventions to receive No. 10’s consent.
Despite calls for Braverman’s dismissal, Sunak apparently maintains full confidence in the Home Secretary.
Criticisms against Braverman
Within Tory ranks
Despite receiving the backing of Sunak, a number of senior Tory MPs have criticised Braverman for her remarks and distanced themselves over fears of a major blowback if she resigns or is sacked.
Nickie Aiken, the Tory deputy chair, said in an interview with The Guardian,
“…the police should never be involved in politics and politicians should never get involved in policing operations.
“The police must police without fear or favour and it is a very dangerous precedent to state otherwise.” [2]
Aiken further stated,
“This protest should not be stopped unless there is credible intelligence that the police decide means it needs to be stopped.
“It has to be the police’s choice. These protests should not be stopped by political whim.” [2]
On Friday, in a bizarre effort to simultaneously distance himself from the Home Secretary and brag about his support of the police, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said Braverman’s comments were something he wouldn’t have said. [3]
“As many other cabinet ministers have said, the words she used are not words that I myself would have used, but I have a productive relationship with her as a colleague and I have always given her the money that she needs to fund the police to bring down crime and to fund the immigration and asylum system.” [3]
From the Metropolitan police
Neil Basu, the UK’s most senior counter-terrorism officer and a former assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan Police, went further in arguing that Braverman’s remarks in the article threatened to embolden extremist elements of the far-right and give them a licence to act as they wish.
“I think it heightens the risk to police officers and it heightens the risk to the public, because people who are turning up now, are turning up with the licence of the Home Secretary.” [2]
Response from opposition parties
Opposition parties including Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish National Party have strongly called on the government to sack Braverman for undermining the credibility and independence of the police.
A far-right ideologue
Braverman, a popular figure with the Tory far-right, holding aspirations for party leadership, has consistently advocated far-right positions on issues such as multiculturalism, immigration, and recently on expressions of Palestinian solidarity.
However, her unacceptable critique of pro-Palestinian political activity, including suggesting the criminalisation of waving the Palestinian flag, has drawn criticism for being divisive and undermining the police.
Observers speculate that Braverman’s controversial statements may be a strategic move in positioning herself for a potential party leadership contest, especially considering the Conservatives’ lagging position in opinion polls.
Despite calls for action against Braverman, Sunak’s office has not provided further updates on any official reprimand.
Lifestyle choice to produce dangerous op-ed
The Home Secretary’s history of contentious remarks, from labelling homelessness “a lifestyle choice” to making false claims about “almost all” child groomers being Pakistani men, has regularly fuelled criticism and stirred controversy. [4] [5]
As tensions rise within the Conservative Party and public discontent grows, the future of Suella Braverman’s political career remains uncertain, with potential repercussions echoing beyond party lines.
Analysis
ANALYSIS
Suella Braverman has continued to paint entire communities with the same tarnished brush, and now she has not only called supporters of Palestine attendees of 'hate marches', but she has attacked her own charge — the police!
It would be difficult for anyone to take seriously a Home Secretary who publicly criticises the Metropolitan Police Service — Britain's largest and most influential — in such a way as to undermine the authority of Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and, as a byproduct, the authority of chief constables across England and Wales.
The most disappointing aspect of this disastrous op-ed is that the Prime Minister is too weak to do anything about it.
Only in power due to the short-lived tenure of Liz Truss and her right-hand man, Kwasi Kwarteng, Sunak lacks a public mandate to govern, and he lacks power within the Tory party.
It, therefore, appears obvious that he is merely attempting to steady the ship until the next general election, expected in 2024. There are serious doubts as to whether the Conservatives will be able to extend their time in power, with opinion polls showing a large Labour lead in recent times.
If Sunak does have the courage to dismiss Braverman, there is no doubt that she will be a weapon within the backbenches and most likely do everything within her power to make his governance difficult.
Likewise, it will be no surprise if it is later found that Braverman manufactured all of her offensive remarks in such a way as to appease her far-right backers and set the stage for a future Tory party leadership bid.
One thing is for certain, a Braverman premiership would be a disaster for Muslims and for supporters of Palestine.
Source: Islam21c
Notes
[1] https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/pro-palestine-protest-london-met-police-cbqnxbtv3
