The Future of Lawfare: A Tool for Control?

In Friday’s discussion on the WarRoom, Ben Harnwell and Peter McIlvenna provided a stark warning about the potential future of lawfare—using the legal system as a tool to control, silence, and manipulate the public. As they describe the situation unfolding in the UK, they argue that lawfare is increasingly becoming a means to quash dissent and assert control over those who challenge government policies, particularly concerning immigration and social unrest.

As McILvenna pointed out, the government’s focus seems misplaced: "They are intent on jailing those who participated, tweeted, or were bystanders in the riots while dangerous criminals are being released.”

Prison Overcrowding and Early Releases: A Symptom of Lawfare

Harnwell and McIlvenna bring attention to the UK’s early release system, which is set to free 5,000 prisoners due to overcrowded prisons. The primary concern is that these early releases will include individuals convicted of serious crimes, such as sex offenses. According to whistleblowers, despite official assurances that only non-dangerous prisoners would be freed, the list of those eligible for release may include violent criminals. This move is partly driven by the government’s decision to prioritize incarcerating individuals involved in protests and riots surrounding sensitive issues like immigration.

Targeting Dissenters: The Rise of Thought Crimes
McIlvenna argues that the government’s approach to dealing with public unrest is part of a broader strategy to control political dissent, especially from those who challenge its stance on immigration and other controversial topics. He cites the example of an 81-year-old man who was charged for inciting violence simply by being present at a protest, alongside other cases where dissenters have been given disproportionately harsh sentences.

One of the most striking examples discussed is the case of an individual who was sentenced to nine years in prison for setting fire to a bin outside a migration center. In comparison, those convicted of serious crimes, like child abuse, are often released after serving much shorter sentences. McIlvenna highlights this disparity as a prime example of how the legal system is being used to suppress political opposition: "So, setting fire to a bin is twice as bad as child rape—that’s where we are in the UK.”

Lawfare as a Tool of Control
The conversation suggests that lawfare is increasingly used to stifle freedom of expression and control the population by prosecuting people for “thought crimes.” This term refers to punishing individuals for their political opinions, mainly when they go against the prevailing government agenda. McIlvenna warns that this kind of lawfare is not limited to the UK: "The same thing will come to the U.S.… All the common-sense people, the people concerned by immigration, they must be locked away from society.”

In this context, lawfare becomes a powerful tool for governments to manipulate legal outcomes and enforce conformity. By focusing on individuals who participate in protests or express dissenting opinions on social media, the legal system shifts from enforcing justice to imposing control. The implications are profound, with people potentially being jailed for voicing their opinions or even being at a protest.

Lack of Opposition and the Future of Freedom
McIlvenna also highlights the absence of effective political opposition in the UK as a contributing factor to the rise of lawfare. With the current government enjoying a massive majority in Parliament, there is little pushback against policies that erode civil liberties. "We’ve got a far-left government with the biggest majority since the Second World War…there’s no real opposition.”

As the discussion unfolds, it becomes clear that lawfare could shape the future of governance, especially in democracies where political opposition is weak or non-existent. The legal system, originally designed to protect citizens and uphold justice, risks being weaponized to enforce conformity and silence dissent.

Is There A Dark Path Ahead?
The future described by Harnwell and McIlvenna paints a troubling picture where lawfare becomes a central control mechanism. By manipulating the legal system to target those who challenge the status quo, governments may increasingly rely on lawfare to silence opposition and maintain power. If this trend continues, the implications for freedom of speech, political dissent, and individual liberty could be profound—not just in the UK, but around the world.

For more about the dangerous escalation of Lawfare, watch this Friday WarRoom discussion:

Prisoner Capacity Shortage From Riots In UK Leads To Sex Criminals Set To Be Released