Full Force Of The Law

Full force of the law.
Again.

Full Force of the Law was written after ministers, including Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, warned that anyone involved in anti-migrant protests would face “the full force of the law.” For RebelliousBard, the phrase has become a familiar piece of political theatre: a warning delivered with absolute certainty whenever public anger over immigration spills onto the streets. The song doesn’t argue with the existence of the law. It questions the selective confidence with which politicians promise to use it, and why so many people already feel they know exactly who those warnings are aimed at before a single arrest has been made.

► BUY
EVIDENCE

Full force of the law.
Funny how you already know
who that’s meant for.

Every time they say it
You already know the score
“Full force of the law”
Coming through the door

Never said with quiet confidence
Always dressed for the news
Another podium warning
Another enemy to choose

Funny how the phrase appears
Right on cue, right on time
Whenever British voices gather
And step outside the line

Same old script
Same old play
Different minister
Different day

Full force of the law

That’s the line they draw

Not for every broken promise
Not for every open door

Full force of the law

Always loud and proud

Point it at the taxpayer

Before the shouting crowd

Legitimate anger
Gets renamed hate
Concern becomes extremism
The moment you congregate

Flags become suspicious
Questions become wrong
Working-class frustration
Becomes another headline song

You don’t need a trial
You don’t need a charge
Just wait until a minister
Decides you’ve gone too far

Hear the words

Before they’re said

Same old sentence

Different head

Full force of the law

That’s the line they draw

Never short of warnings
Never short of awe

Full force of the law

Another practiced pose

Funny how it’s always aimed
Exactly where it goes

Full force?

Try full borders.

Full force?

Try full prisons.

Full force?

Try deporting criminals.

Try protecting towns.

Try protecting the people
Who paid for all of this.

See?

We’ve all got a wish list.

Every speech sounds identical
Every warning reads the same
Different logo
Different podium
Same old government game

If strength only exists
When speaking to your own
Don’t call it leadership
Call it staying safely home

Full force of the law

That’s the line they draw

Another television promise
Another little war

Full force of the law

Just remember when

Some governments fear
Their own working men

Full force of the law

Say it once again

Funny how you never need
To tell us
Who you meant.

Full force…

Of the law.

You said it.

We heard it.