EDL demo cost taxpayers nearly £2m
The local press are reporting that the policing of the EDL rally that was held in Luton earlier this year cost nearly £2m.
The good news is that the Home Office has agreed to reimburse Bedfordshire Police for the full costs. However, you can’t help thinking that the money would have been better spent elsewhere. It also doesn’t include the amount lost to shops and other businesses as a result of the town centre being virtually shut down for the day. Let’s hope that this is the last time these idiots hold such an event in the town.
I wrote about my experience on the day of the rally here.
This content was originally posted on my old Strange Thoughts blog.
1 Comment
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Andy,
Totally agree that the EDL can be fairly branded as idiots. The barbaric vitriol that is patently evident in every word “supporters” come out with would embarrass the most grass-roots caveman.
Having said that, shouldn’t we uphold the principle that any group/person should have the right to protest where, when, and about whatever they like – without thought to the financial implications?
“Sorry, your cause would cause too much to – gov what’s the word – facilitate! So no dice.”
The cost to democracy dissuading anyone from protesting would be far greater, surely?
IMO, the EDL viewpoint has grown from dire engagement levels in education anything-but-elegantly mixed with the need to belong. Time would definitely be better spent addressing these issues through policy, rather than engaging in debate with a group that would start an argument in an empty room… but I digress.
Hope all is well!
Best
Matt