“Enough” may sound like a good time, but is it nonsense? What Metro readers think

They’ve had enough – but are the rioters targeting the wrong people? (Photo: Getty)

Share your thoughts on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.

People clean up debris outside a Holiday Inn Express with graffiti reading “Get Out England” on its walls on August 5 in Tamworth, Staffordshire (Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

It was not immigrants who caused this chaos

My sister is severely disabled, unable to stand, walk or do anything for herself, and she is cared for kindly and professionally by a team of people from various African countries, India and the UK.

They are of all faiths. Meanwhile, far-right terrorists and people stupid enough to believe everything they read on the internet are destroying homes occupied by “non-white people”, pulling people out of cars while chanting “kill them”, attacking mosques, attempting to burn asylum seekers alive, torching community buildings and terrorising local communities.

All this has been fuelled by people like Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (aka Tommy Robinson), who seems to spend all his time spreading hate and lounging on deckchairs; and by Nigel Farage, Suella Braverman and others who seek to blame poverty, poor housing and the destruction of public services on those least responsible.

It was not Muslims, immigrants and asylum seekers who collapsed the economy, sold our railways and water services to foreign profit-making companies, failed to build homes, decided to bail out the banks, imposed “austerity”, cut all our essential public services, cut disability benefits, paid their friends millions for Covid equipment that was useless, etc. Those spreading hateful misinformation do so for selfish gain and have done nothing useful with their lives. Heather Rutledge, Birmingham

‘Enough is enough’ protest in Sunderland (Photo: Drik/Getty Images)

Disinformation and the reason for the riots

There were, of course, a few hotheads caught on camera throwing objects and shouting abuse – the sort of thing you don’t usually see here but which is more common in France and other countries.

But I think it’s important to point out that, by and large, people are protesting because of the Southport killings.

We are told that the alleged murderer was born in Britain and there was obviously a story circulating that he was an illegal immigrant from Syria.

From what we know now, this is not accurate, but I think it is important to point out that at the time of the initial troubles, people believed it to be true.

But calling every protester a member of the “far right” is nonsense. There is no organization that calls itself the far right. By and large, these are decent people protesting these and all the other murders and attacks that are happening with alarming regularity on our streets. The government does not seem to understand this and needs to take charge of the situation, instead of demonizing the citizens of this country. G Hall, London

Crowds who throw whatever they can at police officers, burn public buildings and storm hotels that might be housing asylum seekers are degrading and disrespecting their own patriotism and damaging the reputation of this country.

You can’t be racist, violent thugs and then take a higher moral stance. Henry Page, Greenwich

The difference between thugs and protesters is that protesters carry banners while thugs can’t spell the word “banner” and it’s hard to make a good one with pencils. Davey, Sunderland

Priti’s place in the chaos

A reader has a message for former Home Secretary Priti Patel (Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images)

Thank you, Priti Patel, for creating this rioting chaos when you were Home Secretary, stopping visa applications – which stopped people being deported or forced to work – purely for political reasons and for blowing the Channel crossing out of proportion.

A big win for Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson (he’s even ashamed of his own name). And certainly not for the Conservative Party. Mick, West Midlands

Facilitators of Terrorism

It is absolutely disgusting how the terrorism inflicted by racists on our streets has been justified and explained away by those who speak for these vile people, support them and agree with their sickening ideology.

These media and political leaders are the accomplices of these terrorists and all those who support them. They too must pay the price as enemies of the state and join the Islamist terrorist preacher Anjum Choudary – their brother in arms – in prison.

The government must approach this situation as a war on racism and terrorism. No excuses, no explanations, no narratives justifying racism and terrorism. Saif Deen, Luton

Riot police stand in front of windows smashed by anti-immigration protesters during riots in Rotherham on August 4 (Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

If the mindless scum who vandalise so many of our towns and villages are so opposed to immigrants, why do they destroy British property, such as their homes, cars and businesses?

Locking them up for a few weeks won’t deter them either. They need to be hit where it hurts – in the pockets – and if they are receiving benefits, they need to be immediately stopped from doing so for at least a year. Peter Robson, Sunderland

We’re not all Einsteins, but how stupid is it to see an anonymous post online and rush to XYZ City to join strangers on the street to supposedly change government policy on an ethnic issue?

If they have seen the news, they should know that some parts of the instant mob will engage in serious crimes, such as attacking police officers, buildings and vehicles.

They would have to be extremely aware not to realize this. Some of the criminals appearing before the courts today are clearly incredibly stupid and incompetent, but must be punished for their crimes.

Their actions on the streets do nothing to solve the real problems, but only make things worse for all Britons. They should stay at home instead. Dan, Solihull

Unfair advantages only part of the time and paying attention to your surroundings

Irish boxer Amy Broadhurst beat Imane Khelif in 2022 (Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Al Charlton (MetroTalk, Monday) claims that Algerian boxer Imane Khelif should not have been allowed to compete in the women’s Olympics because, although she is a woman, she has XY chromosomes, which are typically found only in men.

That and the fact that she had high testosterone levels gave her “an unfair advantage,” he said. No one claimed she had a biological advantage when she was beaten by Irish boxer Amy Broadhurst and at least eight other women. J Lee, Brixton

It was great to hear that Novak Djokovic completed his golden slam by winning all four Grand Slams and Olympic gold (Metro, Monday). I’d like to mention my favorite player, Italy’s Sara Errani, who did the same thing in women’s doubles on the same day. Forza Sara! Gary Oliver, Hornchurch

Glad to see Carcass mentioned in your entertainment section last week – more, please! Sarah Sutherland (old metalworker), Walsall

Dr. Wada Hosny (MetroTalk, Monday) suggests people attach mirrors to their cell phones to see thieves approaching. A better idea is to keep your phone out of sight so you can pay attention to what’s happening. Patricia Sorenti, Feltham