1 December
Friday's fatal stabbing attack on London Bridge is having an impact on Britain's upcoming general election. Candidates are taking a break from campaigning and are calling for stricter security measures.
The attack left two people dead and three others wounded. The attacker was shot dead at the scene by police. He was convicted of terrorism-related offenses after being arrested in 2010 for his involvement in a bomb plot. He was released in December last year. The governing Conservative Party and the opposition Labour Party announced a halt to campaigning on Saturday.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the scene of the attack and offered encouragement to police officers. He said people convicted of serious terrorist offenses should never be released from prison early. Opposition parties have stepped up criticism of the Conservatives for reducing funding for the police as part of their austerity policy.
London Bridge was the scene of another terrorist attack in 2017, which made antiterrorism measures a focus of the election that year. Eight people were killed when a vehicle ran down pedestrians on the bridge and its driver went on a stabbing spree. The election takes place on December 12.—NHK
