It’s Time to Finish the Fight.
Three years on from the terrible, tragic events of 7th July 2005, let us spare a thought for those who died, their families and their friends. Let us be thankful for our emergency services, who were key to delivering a quick, effective and life-saving response. Let us be thankful that we know if this happens again, people will, like they did 3 years ago today, not panic after a bomb has exploded metres from them, but rush to help those around them and save lives. Let us be thankful that further attacks in 2005, 2006 and 2007 were thwarted – sometimes due to the stupidity of those trying to carry out these despicable deeds.
I have no doubt that terrorists will attempt, and it is highly probable that they will at some point succeed, to indiscriminately kill more innocent people in our country, be it in the capital or elsewhere. I have no doubt that they will continue to seek to divide us and to scare us. However, I have no doubt that they will not succeed in dividing us and scaring us. For that is the strength of the people as a whole – they fight, but not with murderous attacks. The resilience shown by those who travelled by tube the next day is a testimony to how we will stand strong against those who seek to hurt us and we will prevail. Our numbers are far, far greater than theirs and even if they strike us, we will get straight back up and be ready to retaliate with love and moral compassion – our ‘weapon’ to be used against them.
This feeling was echoed by many on 7th July 2005. Scott Mills rounded off his show with the song ‘Tubthumping’ due to high listener demand. The lyrics “I get knocked down, but I get up again, you’re never gonna keep me down” represented the defiant attitude of the people in this country. A small, seemingly anecdotal fact, but one of great importance nonetheless.
I think that Ken Livingstone, ex-Mayor of London, has said it best, so I shall end this post with his wise words.
| Ken Livingstone wrote: |
| Finally, I wish to speak directly to those who came to London today to take life.
I know that you personally do not fear giving up your own life in order to take others – that is why you are so dangerous. But I know you fear that you may fail in your long-term objective to destroy our free society and I can show you why you will fail. In the days that follow look at our airports, look at our sea ports and look at our railway stations and, even after your cowardly attack, you will see that people from the rest of Britain, people from around the world will arrive in London to become Londoners and to fulfil their dreams and achieve their potential. They choose to come to London, as so many have come before because they come to be free, they come to live the life they choose, they come to be able to be themselves. They flee you because you tell them how they should live. They don’t want that and nothing you do, however many of us you kill, will stop that flight to our city where freedom is strong and where people can live in harmony with one another. Whatever you do, however many you kill, you will fail. |
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