what is confusing is how the roits at Oldham could just "By pass" the election debates, discussions, news etc

and now Leeds
There has been a lot of news on Oldham (and now Leeds) but Helen raises an interesting point about the lack of political electioneering on the subject. William Hague has already burnt his fingers in this election "playing the race card" on the asylum issue, when the others said "You really mean race don't you?". and with some of the more extreme members of his party saying things that Hague wished they hadn't. The parties have all said the same "Tut Tut isn't it dreadful - it shouldn't happen", on the riots, but since they all supposedly have the same policies on race, it is difficult to make an issue of it, apart from bemoaning the lack of money/resources/training given to police/teachers/social workers and whoever. Since Hague is already struggling to convince the voters he can cut taxes and increase spending, adding another line to his spend budget by berating Labour on the issue would be difficult.

We do have openly racist (as far as they can be within the law) parties, but thankfully they are a small minority.

Rod