British Protests May Gain Sympathy for Cameron

For the normally passive British public, the specter of political violence is back. In early November, students clashed with police and smashed their way into Conservative Party offices to express their opposition to proposed hikes in tuition fees—part of a wider package of austerity measures from Prime Minister David Cameron's coalition government that have targeted almost every area of government spending, except the health service and overseas aid. Worse action may soon follow: a recent poll showed that 87 percent of respondents believe the cuts will provoke more violent demonstrations. For the government, that would be the biggest test yet of its belt-tightening nerve. Commentators draw comparisons to 1990, when violent opposition, including riots in central London, forced Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government to drop its proposed "poll tax," a flat charge for local government services. Indeed, it was the poll-tax issue that led to Thatcher's downfall in the same year.

But the polls actually show a more nuanced picture, and one that's not necessarily so dire for Cameron's government. While voters broadly approve of the students' cause, there's no such widespread backing for their recent violent actions. Only 19 percent believe such rioting is ever acceptable in a democracy, and a huge majority deplored the attack on the Conservative headquarters. Televised images of students fighting with the police may have reinforced support for Cameron. Although his party has seen little change in its support levels since the cuts were announced last month, it's been braced for a dip in popularity when the measures begin to take effect. Now, the riots seem to be gaining Cameron a measure of sympathy, especially from older voters. Strategists in Downing Street may be hoping for a few more smashed windows in the weeks to come.