Rishi Sunak Promises "New Framework" To Tackle Extremism As Political Division Hots Up

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the government will introduce a new framework for dealing with extremism in the UK, as he declared that "our democracy itself is a target" for threats posed by extremist groups.

Sunak delivered a speech outside No10 on Friday evening, stating that he felt the need to address the nation after today's by-election result. George Galloway, leader of the far-left Workers Party of Britain, won the Rochdale by-election overturning Labour's 9,668 majority. He had focused his campaign primarily on the pro-Palestinian cause, declaring that his victory was "for Gaza".

Labour apologised for the by-election result, claiming Galloway was “only interested in stoking fear and division” and won because Labour did not have a candidate running in the seat.

Last week, a row erupted in Parliament over an opposition day motion on a Gaza ceasefire, when the Speaker made the unusual decision to alter Commons procedure with the aim of protecting MPs subject to threats. Sunak said it was "unacceptable" for MPs to feel threatened in their jobs, and that a growing sense of intimidation of politicians is a threat to democracy.

"It's beyond alarming that last night the Rochdale borough election returned a candidate who dismisses the horror of what happened on October the 7th, who glorifies Hezbollah and is endorsed by Nick Griffin, the racist former leader of the BNP," Sunak said on Friday.

He said that "small and vocal hostile groups" were carrying out intimidation threats and planned acts of violence that made democracy itself a target. 

"Council meetings and local events have been stalled. MPs do not feel safe in their homes, long standing parliamentary conventions have been upended because of safety concerns,"