by Carl Andrew
That knowledge of how things would work proved accurate every time. It almost read like a coach’s playbook for a football team. It followed a script. She was single and free again and might give it a month or two before engaging another love interest.
Besides, Christmas was around the corner and she’d learnt from past experience how difficult it was to let them know that they didn’t figure in her holiday plans, especially when it came to spending time with her family.
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BBC Studio, London
Having met with both Russell and Vanessa earlier that morning, David felt prepared for what he was about to face. He’d been over the likely questions, most of which were pulled from a blog post that appeared on ‘The Day Today’ previously.
He was comfortable and composed albeit a little nervous that the policy he was about to present was hardly inspiring.
Meanwhile, Leon made his way into the BBC complex and was ushered through to an audience area by the researcher or runner. He knew they’d be one of the two roles. He’d been there himself in a previous job when he’d tried to break into television news.
He had a list of questions prepared and was in pursuit of answers.
The audience were directed to the main studio and received the rudimentary instructions for participation. With a nod of acknowledgement from the gathered captivated members of the public, BBC Question Time began.
The show started with the usual questions from the presenter allowing David Lawson to present his short term policy on reducing crime on British streets. He then responded to jibes and recriminations from the panel before questions were opened up to the audience.
Leon had his hand up in an instant but he was passed over for Mr Pinstripe Banker in the front row. Following a lengthy meander through a nonsensical question which was responded to by a simple statement, the opportunity arose again and this time Leon achieved success:
“Prime Minister, I have a question if I may. From the short term policy you announced this evening, it’s clear that your Government has no rigid plan for dealing with anti-social behaviour. I’m assuming you haven’t provided a budget to increase police personnel numbers because of the deficit you’re trying to control, so they will be expected to manage the increased workload with the current level of resource. With that in mind, what happens after the police force collapses under the pressure of over work? What are you going to TRY next?”
Leon emphasised the use of the word ‘try’ at the end of his question to present an image to the audience that the Government were under-prepared.
The question took David by surprise. He was expecting a couple of terse queries but nothing so direct and informed.
“Thanks for the question. With respect, policy isn’t made overnight and it’s not something you rush into willy-nilly,” did he really just say willy-nilly on national television he thought to himself.
“So, it’s important to point out that this is a short term solution,” said David.
“With respect,” interrupted Leon mocking the Prime Minister, “You’ve had twenty days to formulate a policy and that’s just the time your Government has had in office. I’m not even counting the six weeks or so you had leading up to the election. One would assume that you already started to identify policy when you announced you were running for election,” continued Leon.
“I find it baffling that you took on the role of governing the country without a clear strategy for dealing with the single biggest issue that is impacting Britain, something you regularly alluded to in your many public speeches as a basis for your electoral nomination. You also haven’t answered what you’re going to do next? What’s the long term strategy Prime Minister?” Leon concluded.
Vanessa could only watch as this painful situation unfolded. She already knew who the questioner was. She read ‘The Day Today’, understood its influence and an aide had pointed Leon out to her during one of the pre-election rallies they’d held.
With sweat starting to appear on David’s brow, he attempted a response: “We’re considering a number of avenues and like I said before, we won’t be rushed into making policy for, as you so aptly put it, the single biggest issue impacting this country.”
“That’s very reassuring Prime Minister. I just want to remind you that the General Election will be in about four years so it would be good to see something before then,” retorted Leon to a chorus of giggles from the audience that broke into applause.
That ended the show and David left the studio fuming with Vanessa in tow knowing that he had been embarrassed on national television. What should have been a successful day had turned into a disastrous one.
They went straight for his car and demanded the driver take him directly home. He had an appointment on that evening for a charity dinner but there was no way he was going to attend.
Vanessa picked up the phone and started dialling, while David looked out of the car window to see Londoners going about their business.
He noticed a beautiful Japanese girl walking three black dogs along the river and he marvelled at her grace. It was a stunning vision and made him realise that tomorrow was another day. He may have lost this battle but he was sure he would do whatever it took to win the war.
Janet, David’s assistant, answered the phone and Vanessa instructed her to cancel the evening’s plans. There was no believable excuse they could give other than he was no longer available. Most of Britain would have watched the program and there was no disguising that.
Vanessa knew from that point, they had serious work to do.
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Leon went back to the audience area next to the studio, opened his laptop and started typing.
Short Term Solution Leads to Long Term Knowledge Gap for No Policy Lawson
Today, David Lawson presented his sweeping, revolutionary solution to the enduring problem facing many Britons, anti-social behaviour.
The Prime Minister’s policy focused on a short term response to an issue that quite obviously requires a long term solution.
Much like if you put a plaster over a cut there will still be a cut underneath, the strategy presented by the Lawson Government today effectively moved the issues we face today until a later, more convenient time being after Christmas where there will still be the same issue, just a couple of months later.
The increase in workload for the police force to ensure more visibility on the streets will go some way to tackling the problem and may well make the streets a safe place in the next few months but when the resources of each local constabulary are exhausted to breaking point, what then?
There was nothing in the announcement this evening that could possibly provide any level of comfort to the millions of people who voted David Lawson into power.
Perhaps the school report assessment yesterday was a little generous and E- or even Fail should have been the grade given.
Must try harder? It would be good to see this Government trying at all.
As always, your thoughts, views, concerns and queries are most welcome. Tell us by commenting below or contact us at [email protected]
Chapter 6:
Early November, Hereford, Herefordshire
The phone rang and she answered on the second ring. A five minute conversation identified that the local high school was a teacher down and needed a support resource.
That was her life, answering the call when schools were in need. Her husband earned a decent enough wage to ensure it wasn’t necessary for her to work full time and with Emily and Joshua now in school themselves, she had the flexibility to go back to teaching albeit as a substitute teacher.
She prepared by gathering her teaching notes and familiarised herself with the chapter in the textbook that the class was at. The truth was that she was a big supporter of computer based learning but unfortunately only the wealthier schools in her area could afford a uniform tab
let computer program. So she accepted that reality and got on with teaching regardless of whether with paper or screen.
She got dressed, finished her breakfast and headed out to what was a typical autumn morning. The leaves were turning a tapestry of burnt oranges, warm browns and proud reds. There was a chill in the air and she followed the cloud bursts of her breath providing a visible trail to her car.
Pulling up at the school after a particularly straightforward journey through the very extremity of rush hour, she felt that today would be a good day.
She presented herself to the administrative support and was directed to the classroom. As she walked in to cover for Mrs Jackson who was unwell, the level of rowdiness was palpable. She knew that the school had a difficult reputation but nothing prepared her for this.
She was taking English class for a room full of 14 to 15 year olds, most of whom didn’t understand their own bodies let alone the requirements of syntax and punctuation. She accepted that and was willing to allow a little leeway but she also had stringent boundaries about how long she would allow the rowdiness to continue.
Teaching in the UK was becoming much more difficult as civility within the classroom was steadily replaced by a lack of respect, a lack of care and a distrust of authority. You had to have a particular manner to be able to deal with such a challenge and she was confident she had such an ability.
“Right, sit down all of you and open your books to page 34,” she said trying to stamp her authority on proceedings immediately.
“Miss, Mark Butler nicked my fuckin’ bag. Give it back to me you fuckin’ prick,” exclaimed one spotty teenager gesturing over to a thuggish looking tall boy with cropped ginger hair.
“Nah I didn’t, stop dobbing on me, you cock,” responded the thug.
“Enough, I won’t have that language in my class. Give him back his bag at once and get back to your desk,” came her stern response, she was now in full on authoritative teacher mode.
“Aw get fucked you stupid bitch. Order me around like that again and I’ll fuckin’ lamp you.”
“How dare you speak to me like that… I’ll…”
Before she could finished her sentence the thug threw the bag at her, smashing her in the face leaving her nose bleeding profusely and her on the ground cowering.
Whatever she had considered to be the trials and tribulations she would face substituting at this school today, physical violence was by no means an anticipated eventuality.
She was taken by surprise and felt instantly vulnerable. Something she hadn’t felt in a classroom previously, and now she was totally unprepared as to how to deal with this situation. Before she had a chance to respond by speech or action, the next step in this concerning process was already in motion.
The thug and a collection of carbon copies gathered round her laughing and pointing at her proud of their leaders’ achievement. The head thug landed two swift kicks to her face and then pulled her up onto her feet before punching her again and again in her stomach.
“Don’t ever fuckin’ mess with me again bitch or I’ll do more than just beat you,” came the menacing threat, his face contorted with such utter hatred.
His gang cheered and laughed while she was left bent over, coughing and spluttering blood onto the floor. They picked her up and forced her into the stationery cupboard in the corner of the room.
“I’ll keep you in here and I might come and have a play with you later. You’re not bad lookin’ for a teacher,” came threat number two. This sent her into absolute panic. She truly believed he was fully capable and motivated to assault her again and even rape her.
She didn’t know what to do. Her nose was still streaming with blood, she felt really sore in her midriff area, particularly around her ribs and the physical difference between her and the gang of thugs was like an ant to a herd of elephants. She stood no chance.
The door was closed and she heard with terror as the key started to turn. The thugs locked the door and she felt like she was trapped. Screams and cries were met with laughter and derision before she gave up trying.
Her bag with her mobile phone was out in the classroom and she had no way of communicating externally so she looked around the cupboard to find anything sharp and strong she could protect herself with.
She found a portable binding machine and picked it up ready to use it as a battering weapon again and again against anyone who entered the cupboard.
The thugs left her in the cupboard for the entire lesson scared and ashamed. As each minute ticked by she focused on any sound fearing that they may enter the cupboard and attack her again. It was only when the class finished she heard the voice of a young girl outside:
“Miss, Miss. Are you ok? They’ve gone now. I’m going to let you out,” said what the teacher felt must have been an angel.
The door opened and a smallish girl with blonde curly hair stood by the entrance, her hand outstretched to offer support.
The teacher welcomed the hand and reciprocated, feeling warmth in the touch. She made her way to the teacher’s room, cleaned herself up and reported the incident to the Principal as well as the Police.
The reality was that not much would be done. The judicial system was overloaded and the punishment handed down would not befit the crime. Besides, she thought to herself, what use would it be to stop the learning process for someone like the thug and his gang?
More than anyone else they needed to learn; and knowledge was the only way they could change their behaviour. Stopping their learning process would only perpetuate their criminality.
As she was taken into the ambulance with suspected broken ribs and a broken nose, she accepted defeat and vowed never to teach again.
Within the hour, the video of the brutal attack in the school made its way to the ‘State of Hate’ website for all to see and the perpetrators to boast about.
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Finsbury Park, North London
Leon had followed up his blog post condemning the Lawson Government with a call out to the people of Britain to share videos and comments about how the stronger police presence was impacting their lives.
He wanted to record how the new policy was working in practice and he knew that the only reality was what was actually happening on the streets. He was essentially calling for a nationwide focus group.
It had been two weeks since the ‘Question Time’ program and so far the majority of video clips he received showed that the town centres were starting to become safer. Street violence was being addressed and the number of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) being handed out, were up.
The police were given powers to impart ‘Night Time Curfew Orders’ along with ASBOs to keep the scum off the streets between the hours of 6pm and 6am. A more visible police force was having an impact and Leon was happy to support this in a bid to encourage people to leave their houses and reclaim the towns and cities. He truly believed that people power was the only way to overcome the thugs. Show them no fear.
He started typing.
Lawson’s Law Levels Playing Field as People Power Reclaims Streets
In just two short weeks, the increased police presence on the streets of Britain is already having an impact. More potentially violent crimes are being caught before they descend into anything beyond a minor fracas and night curfews are also being heavily enforced.
‘The Day Today’ put a call out to see what was happening in the town centres up and down the country and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
From Bath to Berwick and from Brighton to Blackpool, hundreds of videos have been shared with the team here showing people enjoying evenings out in restaurants and bars or just for a walk without the fear of violence hanging over them.
Watch a collection of these clips by clicking on the links below and if you haven’t done so already, go out and enjoy your town this evening or weekend.
It’s up to all of us to ensure we keep this
violence off the streets and the only way we’re going to do that is by going out en masse in the evenings.
Where to from here?
As long as the police presence can continue and punishments remain enforced this Christmas period could be one to enjoy. We can hope, but still need to spare a thought for our overworked police force who will surely be close to breaking point by the time the holidays come around.
In other more shocking news, violence has seemingly moved to our schools as one unfortunate substitute teacher experienced in Hereford yesterday.
Details are scarce but this graphic video was posted on the website ‘State of Hate’ earlier today depicting the brutal attack on the poor, innocent teacher.
Watch the video here and as ever, share your thoughts with us below or contact us at [email protected]
He attached and hyperlinked the various video clips and went through the usual ritual of publishing the blog then sharing it with the local constabulary along with the Home Secretary who had remained largely invisible since the policy was announced two weeks ago.
The number of comments, shares, links and reposts he was receiving for the blog was up again for the sixth month in a row. “The Day Today” was quickly establishing itself as the leading media source nationally and he was starting to consider the possibility of needing to expand to take on another staffer.
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10 Downing Street, London
David was sitting opposite to Vanessa and adjacent to Russell as he convened the meeting.
“So, what have you got for me? How’s our policy working?” he enquired.
“Good so far David. We’ve had a very positive response from the media and the Police Commissioner has confirmed an increase in convictions for ABH and GBH. The concern now is how our prison system is managing,” responded Russell.
