Did the Manchester & London Terror Attacks Change the UK Election Results?
Shared with permission of: Steve Crimando
Consider the “Cracked Sidewalk” Analogy.
Reflecting the nation’s mood, in an election upset, Britain’s Conservative party have lost their majority that led to a hung parliament with polls showing gains for the opposition Labour Party. Did back-to-back terror attacks in the UK change the election outcome?
Consider the bombings the commuter train system of Madrid, Spain, in March 2004 – three days before Spain’s general elections. When ten bombs in backpacks and gym bags were detonated by mobile phones, 191 were killed and more than 1,800 were injured. Many in Spain and around the world saw the attacks as Al Qaeda’s retaliation for Spain’s participation in the war in Iraq, where about 1,400 Spanish soldiers were stationed at the time. Changing the momentum of the incumbent party only days before the election, the anti-war Socialists swept to power. The political environment in Spain was changed so suddenly and dramatically that the expected electoral outcome was undone by the impact of terror attacks timed against the election.
It is important to remember that from the terrorist’s perspective, the destruction of an enemy state is achieved by a seemingly unending succession of tactical strikes intended to keep ambient fear alive and well.
It is fear, not the assault rifle or suicide vest, after all that is the ultimate weapon of the terrorist.
How have terror attacks in the UK resulted in the surprise outcome and loss of power for Prime Minister Theresa May and the Conservative majority government? Read more about the “Cracked Sidewalk” analogy and the impact of terrorism and elections.
About Steve Crimando
Steven M. Crimando, MA, CTS, CHS-V, is an internationally known consultant and educator specializing in the application of the behavioral sciences in homeland and private security, violence prevention, crisis management, and disaster response.
He is the Principal of Behavioral Science Applications, an innovative operational risk management consulting firm serving a global client base. Steve is a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress (BCETS), a Diplomate of the National Center for Crisis Management, the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, and the International College for the Behavioral Sciences, where he serves as an officer on the Board of Directors.
Steve has frequently shared timely and thought-provoking articles with Firestorm and our audience, including a three-part series focusing on the blind spot in Workplace Violence Prevention programs. Additional topics of discussion include: Vehicular attacks, crowd safety and civil unrest.
In an open letter to leaders in emergency management, security and business continuity roles in both public and private sector organizations, Steve tackles the topics of bioterrorism, fake news and alternative facts. Download the full paper to read his insights on the subjects.
“What should we do now?” “What should we say?”