This article appears as part of the Unspun: Scottish Politics newsletter.

We live in a country where people of different ethnicities, religions and backgrounds live side by side and in harmony.

It is one of the great achievements of our country.

Yet as this week has demonstrated, there will always be a tiny minority biding their time for the opportunity to destroy that way of life.

The attack in Southport last week was heart wrenching beyond words – children slaughtered while at a Taylor Swift dance class.

It is unspeakable.

As I sat in the chamber of the House of Commons last week to listen to the statements of the Home Secretary and other spokespeople, I took some minor solace in the uniformity with which we agreed.

It was time for a swift investigation and court case to put the suspect behind bars.

It was time for misinformation to be carefully monitored and combated.

It was a time for the families to be allowed to grieve after an unimaginable bereavement.

Yet within hours, the tragedy was misappropriated by Tommy Robinson and his gang of thugs.

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Misinformation spread online wrongly claiming the perpetrator was Muslim and that this was somehow part of the motivation.

They were manufactured lies, created by the far right who want to spread Islamophobia.

And under that pretence, these criminals took to the street.

They smashed windows, torched a Citizens Advice Centre and ransacked a hotel containing asylum seekers.

One can only imagine the fear some of those asylum seekers will have faced.

Having fled war in their home countries.

And to be welcomed by the crashes and bangs of angry hooligans.

But of course, just as this shameful episode shows the worst elements of society.

It also shows the best.

As a new MP, I’ve had countless emails from people asking how they can help stand against this anger.

In the areas impacted, ordinary people came out to tidy the streets after the touring circus of racist violence had moved on.

And on it seems to move.

Next month, there is talk of a Tommy Robinson promoted ‘rally’ in George Square.

The far right have tried to come to Glasgow before.

They were rejected then, and I have no doubt they will be rejected again.

It is important that Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council work closely, as I’m sure they will, to put security measures in place.

Tommy Robinson tends not to submit paperwork ahead of time to host a protest, so we must be prepared.

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Naturally, many in the Muslim community remain worried.

Even before this week, around three quarters of Scottish Muslims reported experiencing Islamophobia.

In my time as a candidate, and now MP, I’ve heard from Muslims across Glasgow about this scourge.

About the worry that overcomes them when leaving their kid at football practice.

The kind of anxiety which holds back family life.

I don’t want a single person to feel that fear on account of their religion.

As a newly elected MP, tackling this hatred is one of the things I want to use my platform for.

That’s why I’m pleased that following this week’s violence, the new government has announced greater security provisions for Mosques across the country.

We all wish that wasn’t necessary, but it is the right thing to do.

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These mobs appear to be continuing each night, but once arrests and convictions are made, those foolish enough to participate will I hope soon realise the consequences.

When he was chief prosecutor in England and Wales, our Prime Minister put countless rioters behind bars.

He was right in what he said in his televised address.

Anyone taking part in this violence will come to regret it.

We have a new government, and it won’t stand for hatred or violence on our streets.

Those who have ransacked in recent nights will find that they are the first example of that.

And soon, their divisive politics will return to obscurity once again.

What will long outlast it is the harmony between groups which has characterised our country over decades.

Glasgow elected the first Muslim MP anywhere in Britain in 1997.

It’s something I’m proud of, and something we all should be proud of.

This city has pushed back the far right before, and I remain confident that we’ll do it again.

Gordon McKee is Labour MP for Glasgow South.