The rule of law means following mandates, even if we disagree vehemently with them. It certainly does not empower the citizens to incite violence or vandalism against people and property.
Joseph Nicholls, 43, was handed a suspended sentence today by Woolwich Crown Court, for a Facebook post that encouraged the vandalism of Ulez cameras. The electrician from south London also admitted to sending a threatening email to Yunex Traffic, a contractor used by Transport for London to run Mayor Sadiq Khan’s clean air scheme.
No doubt, the Mayor's decision to extend the Ultra-low emission zone to the Greater London boundary proved highly controversial. The issue appeared to cost Labour the 2023 Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, and even sparked Rishi Sunak’s rhetorical turn against net zero. Yet there can be no excuse for damage to property.
Indeed, a number of politicians on the Right of politics who can usually be relied upon to fiercely defend the rule of law and take a hardline stance against criminality were curiously shy when it came to denouncing the widespread damage of Ulez cameras in parts of outer London. Figures released by the Met in November said there had been nearly 1,000 recorded crimes connected to the cameras being stolen or vandalised between August and November 2023.
Sadiq Khan won a third term as London mayor in large part thanks to his record on cleaning up the capital’s toxic air. Anyone who wants to remove the cameras ought to seek political office and persuade a plurality of voters that the Ulez be repealed by peaceful and democratic means.
Evacuations from Lebanon
The focus of the international community must be to prevent a further escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia which has been firing rockets into Israel since October last year, drawing Israeli retaliation.
Of course, Britain’s influence to de-escalate such a war is limited. But the Government can at least ensure it is prepared for a major evacuation of UK nationals from Lebanon. Too often in recent times, the UK has appeared slow in comparison with our allies in providing safe passage for our citizens in danger abroad.To that end, 700 British troops are being sent to nearby Cyprus, with RAF transport aircraft and helicopters also on standby. This will become critical if commercial airlines cease flights into Beirut, the country’s sole civilian airport.
It is vital that contingencies are in place now so that, should conditions on the ground deteriorate further, UK nationals be swiftly evacuated.
