Leading article: Political crowds
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Even those who would delight in seeing Silvio Berlusconi humiliated in an Italian election would be appalled by the assault on him at the weekend. By mingling with the crowd in Milan's cathedral square, signing autographs and exchanging remarks, he was doing something which British political leaders, for instance, do all too rarely. Originally, it was the fear of IRA terrorists that caused our leading politicians to limit their contact with the public. Now it is the fear of Islamic extremists.
But the terrorist risk is also a convenient pretext for politicians who do not want unscripted encounters with the public, because there is no telling what people will say. It is more comfortable to be locked away in heavily guarded buildings undisturbed by anyone except civil servants and paid advisers.
There is no evidence that the attack on Mr Berlusconi was anything but the act of a loner with a history of mental illness. Sadly, the images of his blood-stained face will reinforce the views of other political leaders that it is not safe to venture out.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments