Today I feel slightly relieved.

London was tense yesterday and the day before. Monday night as I rode home you could feel the tension on the street.  We aren't free from trouble yet, but for this round the worst maybe over. Now the work of rebuilding begins, but there are many questions people want answered as well.

As I watched the news this morning it was nice to see that there are politicians who recognise that the reasons for the violence are varied and complex. We won't find simplistic answers to all of this. I hope the general public can recognise this too. The reasons are as diverse as the people who are out on the street. But answers won't change what has happened.

2 days ago I was just hoping things would get back to normal. Today, after a little reflection I am hoping for something different. Let's not go back to normal, normal maybe part of the problem. This outburst presents us with a great opportunity to change.  

Take a look at the response in Clapham yesterday, people gathered together with brooms to fight back, but the fight was to clean up the mess that was made! There may have been some anger and resentment, but it wasn't the focus. The focus was rebuilding a community.

Rebuilding will take all of us. Reading through my Twitter and Facebook feeds this morning saddened me again. The anger I saw is understandable, but the name calling won't help. Yes I think rioters and looters need to be brought to justice, but I also think we have an opportunity to make stronger communities out of this.

I don't know how to do it. I would be sceptical of anyone who said they did. The efforts of those who have brought groups together to clean up our streets is a great start though. Lets hope the dialogue that is started after this does not see millions of pounds spent on an inquiry, but instead millions of pounds helping our communities to become more inclusive places.