The current political scene in the U.K. has taken an ugly turn in recent weeks with the rise of milkshake attacks. While on the campaign trail, candidates from “far-right” UKIP & Brexit parties were accosted by random citizens and doused with milkshake. The attacks received mixed responses of outrage and laughter.
The situation escalated when attacks went from targeting political candidates to voters, when an elderly man was attacked. According to reports, 81-year-old retired Army veteran Don MacNaughton was attacked outside of a polling station. According to his account, an individual approached him and gave him the middle finger. He then returned with a milkshake and threw it on the elderly man, who was wearing a Brexit Party ribbon on his shirt.
Radicalised Remainers are now attacking old men in Aldershot. A very popular man with the local community, many are very angry about this. Thoroughly disgusting. The politics of the mob. pic.twitter.com/7JiZhowvrB
— (((Dominic Farrell))) (@DominicFarrell) May 23, 2019
MacNaughton took the attack in stride and added some personal humor by noting the milkshake was his favorite flavor. Though he was unharmed, this represents a troubling trend that has potential to escalate. It also highlights security concerns, especially in the midst of volatile political climates like those in both the U.K. and U.S. While some argue it’s a harmless prank, others see milkshake attacks as legitimate political violence. Either way, it’s considered assault and should be discouraged.
There has also been a rise in physical attacks on the elderly in recent news, some resulting in fatalities. The elderly are a vulnerable group that routinely fall victim to abuse. No one should condone assaulting citizens, especially those exercising their voting rights.
