We hear that protests about poor conditions in French schools and unfairnesses at universities have broadened into general protests about everything from the cost of living to the state of the Middle East. The far left party Insoumise denies responsibility for the state of the streets and the left generally criticise the police for inflaming things with too much tear gas and too many rubber bullets.
What is clear is that the protesters express their anger in a self defeating way. Small businesses are looted and ransacked. Great public buildings are damaged or burned down . Bond markets take fright making it dearer for the government to borrow. Many law abiding hard working people fear for their local shops and property and face the riots and tear gas when they venture out.
These protests make the economic issues worse. They terrify some of the people they say they want to help. They do not offer solutions.
President Macron had a Marie Antoinette moment dancing in a privileged box as Paris highlighted poverty and public sector austerity. His attempts to crack down with curfews on the many who do not riot shows his weakness.The centre of French politics has not held. We await the electoral contest between right and left.
October 20, 2026
Sir John,
I totally disagree on your view on the curfews in some city centres in France, this is to ensure safety for the majority against very violent riot elements in the coming week
October 20, 2026
France has a state sector of circa 57% (much spent doing net harm or at least little of value) and state control of almost everything like trains and other public services and lots of local Mayor with real power, lots of rather unintegrated immigration and membership of the EU. So exactly what the foolish lefty dope Burnham seems to want.
UK state is about 45% of GDP – it should be more like 20-25% in both France and the UK for a sensible economy. And with immigration limited to skilled workers who (together with their families if any) are not a net cost to other tax payers. The doom loop needs to be reversed but Burnham, Labour and probably Healey too really seem to want to hit Doom and ever more quickly.