Well the riots are over now, thankfully. Businesses were destroyed, police were overstretched, people voiced their disenchantment with the current government – but it wasn’t all bad. Some underprivileged, over active kidz got some smart new clothes. Hooray!

I know I mentioned my disbelief and annoyance before but it’s still haunting me. Surely this isn’t proper Manchester? Yes the city’s known for housing a lot of the poorer people in society but it’s also known for being a friendly upbeat place. Mancunians have been revered for always taking pride in their own city despite its flaws – in fact, because of its flaws. So why did these mindless few decide to turn on our rainy city?

Because they’re thugs that’s why. Thugs and criminals. They weren’t radical revolutionaries seeking to overturn a torturous government – no they were thieves wanting to earn a quick buck and get some new clobber. If they wanted to make a political protest they’d have stormed the Town Hall with bands around their heads, instead they raided Diesel to get a new pair of jeans. What idiots. What are the chances the manikin was wearing their size anyway?!

Further proof that they didn’t give a damn about the politicians is the fact that it’s all died down. Obviously it’s a good thing that it hasn’t continued, but what’s actually changed? There have been no parliamentary reforms. No, the only thing that’s changed is the sentencing for the rioters. The harsh penalties and prison sentences that those caught are receiving has deterred anyone from continuing the fiasco. Suddenly a free pair of Reeboks isn’t worth a 9 month prison sentence. Funny that. The thing that continues to shock me though, is how far people will go when they thing they won’t get caught.