{"id":34736,"date":"2025-05-07T20:15:18","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T19:15:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/?p=34736"},"modified":"2025-06-25T13:49:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T12:49:54","slug":"lucy-powell-labours-mask-slips-on-grooming-gangs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/lucy-powell-labours-mask-slips-on-grooming-gangs\/","title":{"rendered":"Government\u2019s mask slips on grooming scandal"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Lucy<\/a>
Lucy Powell, Leader of the House of Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Last week<\/b><\/a>, Lucy Powell, Leader of the House of Commons, delivered what may go down as one of the most revealing moments of the party\u2019s relationship with Britain\u2019s most harrowing child abuse scandal.<\/p>\n

On BBC Radio 4\u2019s Any Questions, Ms. Powell dismissed concerns about the grooming gangs crisis as a \u201cdog whistle\u201d tactic, sneering at journalist Tim Montgomerie\u2019s mention of a new documentary exposing the decades-long horrors faced by thousands of working-class girls.<\/p>\n

Rather than acknowledge the pain or discuss accountability, Lucy reached for sarcasm: “Oh, we want to blow that little trumpet now, do we” and \u201cLet\u2019s get that dog whistle out, shall we?\u201d<\/p>\n

The backlash was instant \u2013 and deserved. Yet instead of sacking Ms. Powell, Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed her \u201capology,\u201d claiming her words \u201cdid not reflect her true views.\u201d An insult to national intelligence. Because the truth is \u2013 they did.<\/p>\n

Support NCCSS \/ Christian Voice \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

Sneers, deflections and familiar lines<\/h2>\n

The most damning part of Ms. Powell\u2019s outburst wasn\u2019t just its cruelty. It was how closely it echoed Mr. Starmer himself. Back in January<\/b><\/a>, when the grooming gang scandal re-entered the public sphere, the Prime Minister accused opponents of wanting to \u201cjump on a bandwagon of the far Right.\u201d<\/p>\n

One can\u2019t help but note the symmetry: Powell with \u201cdog whistle,\u201d Starmer with \u201cfar-Right bandwagon.\u201d Neither attempted to address the legitimate outrage of families or the documented failures of state institutions.<\/p>\n

Instead, both insinuated that concern itself was suspect \u2013 perhaps even racist. This isn’t a one-off gaffe. It’s party orthodoxy.<\/p>\n

Ask us to come and speak at your church \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

The government\u2019s pattern of contempt<\/h2>\n

Powell\u2019s comments join a long line of dismissals from the government’s figures who can barely contain their irritation at having to discuss the rape gangs.<\/p>\n

Jess Phillips, the government\u2019s safeguarding minister, visibly scoffed when Conservative MP Katie Lam demanded answers on why promised judicial inquiries were downgraded to council-led probes \u2013 the very councils often complicit in previous cover-ups.<\/p>\n

Phillips all but accused Lam of caring about \u201cone kind of victim.\u201d Yet it\u2019s Labour that continues to minimise this particular scandal. Why? Because it\u2019s politically inconvenient.<\/p>\n

Return to the UK’s Christian Constitution \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

The culture of cowardice and denial<\/h2>\n

It is not new for this government to shrink from the grooming gang crisis. As far back as 2003, Ann Cryer<\/b><\/a> \u2013 a Labour MP herself \u2013 was labelled a racist for daring to speak up.<\/p>\n

And in 2014<\/b><\/a>, Alexis Jay\u2019s report laid bare how authorities in Rotherham failed to act for fear of \u201cbeing seen as racist.\u201d That fear still rules today.<\/p>\n

Not because it protects communities, but because it shields Labour from accusations it has come to dread more than failing the vulnerable: being seen as \u201cright-wing.\u201d What does that say about their moral compass?<\/p>\n

A national scandal, a national betrayal<\/h2>\n

For over two decades, thousands of girls \u2013 overwhelmingly white, working class, many of them in ‘care’ \u2013 were groomed, raped, trafficked, and in some cases, murdered. And yet to this day, this government appears to treat the scandal as an electoral headache rather than a national tragedy. When Ms. Powell sneered last week, she wasn\u2019t merely offering a personal misjudgement.<\/p>\n

She was channelling the latent condescension of a political class that finds the victims inconvenient and the outrage embarrassing. The mask slipped, and behind it: indifference.<\/p>\n

The price of political expediency<\/h2>\n

It is no surprise the party has resisted every call for a full statutory inquiry. Because such an inquiry would shine light not just on the criminals, but on the enablers: local councils, social workers, police departments \u2013 and yes, politicians.<\/p>\n

In choosing to turn inward, to defend itself instead of seeking justice, Labour has placed its reputation above the lives of abused girls. Even now, the PM claims this isn\u2019t the time for scrutiny. When, then, is the right time?<\/p>\n

A reckoning still to come<\/h2>\n

The government can paper over this moment with mealy-mouthed apologies and hollow clarifications, but the public sees through it. The anger is not partisan.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s human. When safeguarding collapses and institutions cover their ears, citizens demand answers \u2013 not accusations of dog-whistling.<\/p>\n

Lucy Powell\u2019s sneer was a moment of clarity.\u00a0 Mr. Starmer\u2019s defence of her, a moment of cowardice. Until the government confronts the moral decay that enabled these crimes to persist, it forfeits any rightful claim to the trust of the British people.<\/p>\n

Related Story<\/h2>\n

Rape-gang scandal: A failure of elite feminism \u2192<\/a>
\nLabour\u2019s Winter Fuel Raid Costs Taxpayers \u00a3400m \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

Read and pray<\/h2>\n

READ<\/b>: Isaiah 1:23; Micah 6:8; Matt 23:23; Eph 5:11.<\/b>.
\nPRAY<\/b>: Pray for the rape victims. Pray for the UK. Pray for our leaders to lead in wisdom and the fear of God.
\nLet us know what YOU think in the comments below.<\/p>\n

Support us!<\/h2>\n

We appreciate your support; it enables our research and helps us inform your prayers.
\nSo click below to support Christian Voice and stand up for the King of kings<\/b>
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Or fill in the form below to keep in touch:<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Click on the social media links below to share this post:<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Labour’s mask slips on grooming gangs<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26309,"featured_media":34746,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34736","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",554,554,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",554,554,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",554,554,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3-300x300.jpeg",300,300,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",554,554,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",554,554,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",554,554,false],"td_0x420":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",420,420,false],"td_80x60":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",60,60,false],"td_100x75":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",75,75,false],"td_180x135":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",135,135,false],"td_238x178":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",178,178,false],"td_265x198":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",198,198,false],"td_300x160":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",160,160,false],"td_300x194":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",194,194,false],"td_300x350":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",300,300,false],"td_341x220":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",220,220,false],"td_341x400":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",341,341,false],"td_511x400":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",400,400,false],"td_537x360":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",360,360,false],"td_640x0":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",554,554,false],"td_640x350":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",350,350,false],"td_681x0":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",554,554,false],"td_681x400":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",400,400,false],"td_741x486":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",486,486,false],"td_1021x580":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",554,554,false],"ultp_layout_landscape_large":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",554,554,false],"ultp_layout_landscape":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",554,554,false],"ultp_layout_portrait":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",554,554,false],"ultp_layout_square":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",554,554,false],"woocommerce_thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3-300x300.jpeg",300,300,true],"woocommerce_single":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3.jpeg",554,554,false],"woocommerce_gallery_thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/images-3-100x100.jpeg",100,100,true]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Makeda","author_link":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/author\/makeda\/"},"rttpg_comment":1,"rttpg_category":"Uncategorised<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Labour's mask slips on grooming gangs","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26309"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34736"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34736\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34940,"href":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34736\/revisions\/34940"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34736"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}