Instead of tinkering around the edges with the New Deal, community partnerships and affirmative action, they have finally embraced a bold initiative: water cannon and teargas. Twenty years to the month after Brixton, Handsworth and Toxteth went up in flames, it appears as though nothing has been learnt.

It was by all accounts an impressive speech - well pitched, well written and well delivered. In fact the only thing you could not say about it was that it was well received. It was not badly received. There was no hissing, booing or heckling. But no one was going wild in the aisles either. The applause was polite. Some got to their feet at the end but most did not. And those who did stood in dribs and drabs, an afterthought offered in respect, rather than rapture.