Here we go again when a terrorist recently released from prison goes on a bloody rampage before he’s shot dead by armed police.
The Streatham attack in South London uncomfortably echoes the November case of jihadi Usman Khan who murdered two at London Bridge soon after he was free early from jail.
Terrorist deradicalisation programmes behind bars clearly aren’t working so require urgent improvement and convicted terrorists considered an ongoing threat to the public shouldn’t be automatically released.
The swift intervention of armed undercover officers immediately in Streatham prevented even worse carnage because the dead man, who like the London Bridge terrorist had a fake suicide vest strapped to his chest, appears to have been tailed.
How the machete attacker was able to slash members of the public must be part of any probe into what went wrong as well as right in South London but we salute the bravery and quick thinking of the police involved.
Terrorism from Islamists and, increasingly, Far Right British extremists is a danger requiring constant vigilance, counter measures and resources.
Giving 20,000 police their marching orders was one of the stupider acts of lawlessness and disorder Conservatives. Johnson should stop dithering and start repairing the gaping holes dangerously punched into the thin blue line by his party.
Labour’s pains
Rebuilding Labour’s battered red wall is a huge challenge for the MPs vying to be the party’s new leader and deputy.
This week we will explore what the victors will need to do to win back lost voters, starting today with Great Grimsby.
Conservative cuts battered working people in Labour’s northern and Midlands heartlands, yet they still lent their votes to Boris Johnson.
Whoever replaces Jeremy Corbyn would be foolish to take for granted that these traditional supporters will return to the fold.
We luvvie it
LAST night’s Baftas were the usual heady mix of glamour, tears and laughter.
At a time when we could all use some light relief, that’s worthy of an award in itself.
