Friday High Five – the news this week

Despite the sunshine, it’s been a dark and depressing week in the North West this week.

The horrendous murders of three kids in Southport, and the division and hatred being whipped up by grifters has overshadowed everything. 

I felt reassured yesterday by the Prime Minister’s comments that those intent on turning up for a row will face the same disruption as football hooligans.

It came on the back of the fight at Manchester Airport last week where nuance and context were cast aside by those who sought to amplify the outrage at what they wanted to see.

There is a massive difference between protest and criminal affray. Too often the authorities have backed off in fear, meaning one person’s right to go about their business without fear of intimidation or attack is subsumed to the “rights” of the mob.

I don’t like the phrase “both sides” because I genuinely think most people aren’t members of any mob, and hold no truck with them. But whether you are smashing the windows of an office, lobbing rocks at a hotel, or glueing yourself to the road, you are breaking the law and need to face the consequences of your anti-social actions. Neither do I view you in the honourable traditions of the Suffragettes.

Last week I short changed our readers by only picking four stories for our Friday High Five, so here are six for you this week.

I also particularly want to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Jake Neary.

Look after each other out there. It’s still a beautiful world.