Sunak to make an announcement in Downing Street at 17.40

[Westfacing]

Beth Rigby of Sky News says they've been reliably informed it's not going to be about a General Election, so what will it be?

Not just place names, but our whole language is infected with words of Viking origin. Shocking infiltration if you ask me, I think it should be cleansed.

Maybe the descendants of these Viking kings should pay reparations.

I thought the PM had announced that it was Islamophobia that wasn't racism, or has he done another of his spins and now its anti semitism.

Its very hard to keep up with his right think these days.

Of course it does. But, there's only one religion repeatedly described as "a threat to the British way of life" and its followers accused of being part of a "great replacement". There is also only one major party where that is the majority view.

There's no doubt in my mind that a significant group supporting Galloway are simply antisemitic. I'm also confident that a lot who voted for him also share the majority view of the British public that there should be a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

So I don't have to read the whole thread, would someone be so kind and briefly say what the speech was about?

I think it is targeted at the only remaining reliable tories. He’s scrambling for votes now and can only appeal to the far-right who will lap up his anti-Muslim rhetoric.

I am a white, British 40 something. Happy to admit that people would probably assume I’m a Tory.

I have attended several of the marches. They are enormous. Hundreds of thousands when only 30k are reported. No trouble. Absolutely heaving with elderly, young, children, middle aged, teens, you name it. I’m going to be very direct here - I’d say the protests are 60% white British now. i cannot stress how peaceful they are.

The govt thought people would move on. They haven’t. The government need these protests to stop and they are resorting to desperate measures.

if you are considering attending a protest but feel nervous, please don’t. I have never protested before this situation but I have never felt more comfortable. The community spirit is wonderful, I notice it every single time.

people are marching because we are exhausted by watching massacred children, multilated human beings day in-day out and our government are in it up to their necks.

shame on Rishi.

Nobody really knows, least of all Rishi, but fear not, he'll have a new inititive along soon to relaunch his failing party.

This 100%. Bravo.

Perhaps more pertinently, should we equally condemn the Ottoman Empire? Zulu Empire? Incan Empire? The Arab Empire...? Is it only white people who should've known better, and whose descendants should pay for the actions of their forebears?

This
General Election now

I know you're joking but I'm terrified they are going to try and do that agian

Thank you for this, I have a family member in London who has been on all the marches and says exactly the same, how peaceful they are, how huge they are and how mixed they are.

The protests are like a Trump rally now - you've just got to be there.

Doesn't watch Horrible Histories

My family WhatsApp was pinging away when this was announced, all of us convinced that he was either going to resign or call an election.Then we get this speech of nothingness. Who on earth is advising him? At least Larry the cat was not outside, hopefully he was curled up indoors well out of the way of his latest useless tenant

He was reinforcing British values and reaching out to the silent majority to provide a sense of reassurance. I don't think he succeeded (his delivery lacked power and conviction) but I appreciated the effort and sentiment. It's months (years?) too late, however. Our country is so divided - and this has been u see the Tory's watch.

Do you know what would have been more convincing? All party leaders standing up together to speak out about divisive populism. But we have an appalling political class. There isn't one party I (who values the right to vote so much) would put my cross on a ballot paper for.

For me it was a welcomed speech, whether it will actuallly turn into action I’m doubtful.

In the speech did Sunak confirm what a woman is?

This is fundamental to British values.

@BeretInParis

He was reinforcing British values and reaching out to the silent majority to provide a sense of reassurance

What does British values even mean? It's nothing but a dog whistle to racists.
Something innocuous and seemingly harmless to reasonable people (who can have a problem with British values, what's wrong with being proud of your country?) etc
To the racists it's more.
Reassurance about what, exactly? He's hardly reassuring when it's him and his party that are doing the inciting and the stoking up!
It's dangerous and get them the fuck out, the sooner the better.

The definition of a woman (though I know - and Rishi does too - that it's an adult human female) wasn't the focus of Rishi's speech. Would've been random to include it.

Actually it is. Luckily he has already stated exactly what one is!

Do you work in a university?

The term “dog whistle” is becoming ever funnier as it’s always followed by ramblings that are invariably a dog whistle!!!

I think Rishi is doing a great job himself making the country divisive. He and other muppets supporting Israel, not committing to a ceasefire, no wonder people are angry, upset and protesting strongly - they're watching genocide being carried out under their noses. If you don't like what you see and hear, Rishi, get out! Absolutely disgusted by the intense double standards of politicians, of every side. The UK is broken with so many problems, Rishi 'proudly' giving away billions to other countries when we are in great need. I'm almost 60 and at no time previously have I ever felt so despairing or ashamed of this country as I do today.

I think some Jews would disagree with your rant. Many are very afraid of the protests. Good for you that it doesn’t affect your life…..

Previously Rishi's definition has been whatever Boris said it was.

But that was probably at a time when Rishi was comfortably sitting next to Boris whilst he lied about the illegal parties they had both been to.