David Cameron... has stated that he is
certainly a big Thatcher fan, but I don't know whether that makes me a Thatcherite,which means he's not. Since he is
not deeply ideologicalhe lacks core principles and is easily led. He has been described as
certainly not a Pitt, Elder or Younger,but he does wear a nice suit so maybe he's Beau Brummel ...
said Thursday.
The rioting was "not about politics or protest, it is about theft", Cameron told parliament after politicians were recalled from their summer recess to debate the worst looting and violence for decades.
Cameron said he would "not allow a climate of fear to exist on our streets".
He admitted there were "far too few" coppers deployed as the riots reached a peak on Monday night and the tactics they had used had failed to work.
The prime minister, who returned early from holiday in Italia to deal with the riots, announced a package of measures to help homeowners and businesses affected by the riots.
Massively increased police numbers and heavy rain in many parts of the country led to a quiet night overnight Wednesday, leaving Britannia to start to count the cost of the violence.
Four people have died in the riots, including three Asian men mowed down by a car in Birmingham in central England.