UK Politics Thread

I don't see why they could be seen as being dangerous....many police forces worldwide use them.

http://www.webcitation.org/getfile.p...4d0c93088c46bc

[BossMark]

Boris Johnson has volunteered to be blasted by one of the new water cannons he has ordered for London's riot police.

In Germany in 2010, Dietrich Wagner was knocked unconscious and blinded by a water cannon which ripped his eyelids off, damaged his corneas and left his eyeballs hanging out.

Finally there's going to be something worth watching on the News.

[Jimbuna]

I'll willingly concede there is always a risk involved but that is far outweighed by the potential harm that could be caused to life and property should a riot situation be left to escalate out of control.

Surely the water cannon would only be deployed and used should the authorities believe the situation warranted it....on the the streets of the UK I mean.

[Oberon]

I think the problem comes with the risk of a step on a slippery slope. We've already seen kettling used more and more as a tactic against large scale protests, and that has had its risks and rewards.
You don't want it to get to the point where street protests are so tightly regulated that they've lost their entire point.

[BossMark]

Along with 1000s of others I will volunteer to try the water cannon on dopey Boris

[STEED]

I would not worry to much folks on the radio last night it came to light these three water cannons are over 23 years old so they probably fail to work.

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

I'll willingly concede there is always a risk involved but that is far outweighed by the potential harm that could be caused to life and property should a riot situation be left to escalate out of control.

Do you think the risk involved is increased by them buying a model which is available at a bargain basement price as its current owners know it is too dangerous to use anymore themselves?
The demand raised in certain quarters for these devices arose from the riots that started in London, the reports into the police response found that water cannon would have been of no use at all.

They would however be good at hosing down protest marches if you already kettle all the protesters.
Though that would probably lead to a lot of riots which would escalate out of control.
"Not fit for purpose" seems to fit these purchases doesn't it.

Surely the water cannon would only be deployed and used should the authorities believe the situation warranted it....on the the streets of the UK I mean

Yep and that is what they said about firearms CS gas Tasers......
And fair enough an 80 year old strolling along with the aid of a walking stick can be said to be carrying a weapon thus making it a situation warranting use of police toys.
The same if its a blind man with a white stick, dodgy bastard with a weapon isn't he.
God help the poor bugger if he is a Latino sitting on a train who looks like he might perhaps be an arab

Have toys, will play. It becomes habitual.

[BossMark]

Nick Clegg says he is opposed to water cannon to deal with protesters.

I give it 3 months until he decides that, actually, they are a good idea and starts using the thing himself on the same people that protested against the tuition fees he said he was opposed to.

[BossMark]

After buying 3 water cannons for the Metropolitan police, London mayor Boris Johnson has agreed to be blasted by them, to prove the 'safety and wisdom' of the purchase...

Now if only David Cameron would do the same with the Trident missile system.

[Jimbuna]

Government U-turn will see hundreds of Syrian refugees come to Britain

Hundreds of Syrian refugees will be allowed to come to Britain under plans to be announced by the Government on Wednesday.

David Cameron has overruled objections from the Home Office after coming under strong pressure from Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband to join the18 western countries providing sanctuary to some of those who have fled Syria.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...n-9089121.html

I wonder what support he will get from Nigel

[STEED]

Ed looses votes...

Ed Miliband apologises for offence over Sun picture

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27829958


Meanwhile Clegg was looking at page 3..CORRRRRRRR


Yes he was looking at a picture of Big Boy Dave covered in whipped cream.

[BossMark]

Interest Rate Rise 'Signals End Of Crisis'

http://news.sky.com/story/1281763/in...-end-of-crisis


Just goes to prove that Gideon does talk out of his arse......

A rise in interest rates is a sign the UK economy is emerging from a crisis period and is growing, George Osborne has argued.

[STEED]

They are crapping themselves over his ponzi scam at the moment. Second those rates rise will be the second those who fell for his scam will wake up.

[Jimbuna]

Could do with an interest hike....not everyone is a borrower, some of us are now savers after having borrowed for the previous couple of decades.

[STEED]

I give you the next leader of the Tory party..Tony Blair.

Former UK PM Blair says Iraq crisis not his fault, urges action

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/former-uk-...6.html#ZI8hNTU


Going in on a lie did not help did it Blair.