PMQ: Racism and Amnesty for Criminals

The United Kingdom Parliament met together for the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions Time. Labor Party and Opposition Leader Sir Keir Starmer asked six questions to Prime Minister and Conservative Party Leader Boris Johnson on racism and amnesty for criminals.

Starmer opened by asking Johnson about the England Football team, who took a knee against racism. This resulted in a lot of fans booing the team. Starmer said that Johnson and his administration criticized the team, and asked him if he was wrong for doing so.

In Johnson’s response, he made clear that he is thankful for the team, saying that they represent the very best in the UK. He also made clear that he condemned the negative response from the fans, calling it racist. He and his administration are putting policies in place to help combat racism in football.

However, Starmer said that his response did not work, even so far as calling it “hallow.” He pointed out that one of Johnson’s Home Secretary was against the football team for what they did. Furthermore, Starmer pointed to one of the players, Tyrone, and said that he said anyone who labels anti-racism as politics had helped to advance racism. 

Johnson again reiterated his support for the team and their solidarity towards helping other players who are victims of racism. However, he criticized Starmer for his remarks about the Home Secretary, and Johnson made clear that the secretary had faced racism himself. Furthermore, the Home Secretary had been working against racism by bringing in Africans Americans and other minority groups into the police force.

Starmer gave the Prime Minister an ultimatum, and said that he cannot be against racism while also defending MPs and other leaders who had made racist remarks. Although, Starmer did admit that he did condemn racism that the Home Secretary had dealt with.

Johnson said that he had met with representatives from popular social media platforms to address racism. Not only did he talk about introducing legislation to combat racism, but the social media platforms would face consequences if they did stop racism.

“Unless they get hate and racism off their platforms, they will face fines amounting to ten percent of their global revenues,” he said.

Starmer transitioned the topic to talk about the recent news about crimes in Northern Ireland. He said that Johnson had passed amnesty bills that gave amnesty to criminals and terrorists in that region. The amnesty bills were not approved by the Northern Ireland government and other activist groups. Starmer pointed to Julie, someone who had lost her sister in a terrorist bombing attack. Starmer passed on a quote that Julie had said to Johnson:

“If one of your loved ones was blown up beyond recognition, where you were only able to identify your son or daughter by their fingernails, would you be so quick to grant their murderers an amnesty?”

Johnson said that he and the whole House acknowledge the suffering of victims such as Julie. Although he cannot mitigate their loss, he said that it is vital for the people of Northern Ireland to move on. He said that he had placed a measured and balanced proposal that had a wide degree of support from former labor Prime Ministers and leaders. More than anything else, Johnson said that solutions must be brought forward and people must move on.

Other Members of Parliament asked questions to Johnson in the remainder of the PMQs.