Introduction

Amongst the cacophony of cant and ignorance masquerading as social commentary that followed Britain’s 2011 riots, there were few credible voices of understanding, let alone attempts to place the youthful violence, nihilism and looting within anything approaching historical perspective. Yet as the usual clichés were rolled out about the riots being without precedent, and a sure sign of a radical and dangerous departure from the subservience of the past, the carefully modulated tones of a 68-year-old ex–grammar school boy from Accrington came once again to the fore.