Manchester Terror Attack

This morning’s horrifying attack in Manchester — outside a synagogue on Yom Kippur — is a devastating reminder of the scourge of extremism. Two innocent lives have been lost, several others are grievously injured, and a community has been shaken.

My thoughts go out first and foremost to the victims, their families, friends, and to the entire Jewish community. In times like this, words feel so brittle, but we must do more than speak: we must act.

Having attended terrorist incidents before, I know something of the impact such attacks leave behind — the shock, the fear, the long road to healing, and the critical importance of a swift, effective, professional response. We owe it to those affected to ensure our security services have all the resources, intelligence, and powers they need — but with appropriate oversight and public accountability.

Today, we must stand firm in unity:

* We must not let this act of terror divide us or feed hatred between communities.

* We must reject antisemitism in all its forms, and ensure our Jewish communities feel safe — not vulnerable.

* We must ensure that every lead is followed, every intelligence path explored, and every gap in our system exposed and fixed.

* We must support those injured — physically, emotionally, psychologically — and provide them the care they will need for years to come.

* We must continue to build resilient communities, with trust between citizens and state, where lines of communication and cooperation prevent isolation and radicalisation.

Manchester — and all of us — must not bow to fear. We must stand stronger, more united, more determined.