On Saturday 13 September over 100,000 people marched on London in the name of “Unite the Kingdom,” the largest far right march in UK history. Its size and rhetoric are a key symptom of a growing crisis, representing the move away from centrist “adult” politics, towards far-right populism in a way this nation has never seen before.
Ironically, their message of division and hate towards immigration and establishment politics gives the left the resources it needs to defeat this crisis. First, we must consider the nature of this movement. Many use it as an outlet for their personal racism, but to suggest each attendee of the march, and the broader movement, is personally racist is a misdiagnosis of the crisis.
Why are so many people turning to the far-right?
There is a clear connection between national economic underperformance, and millions of Britons turning to the far-right given its rapid growth following the ‘08 crash. Consistent 20th century economic growth provided a bright future for each generation. But almost two decades of economic underperformance from the near collapse of our banking system and the austerity that followed suit has stripped millions of Britons of their once bright future.
What was needed was hope from the British political establishment. This was never provided. Leading many to feel abandoned by their political system. These millions have associated this failure with the political establishment, causing inevitable backlash. Whether you’re observing the decision to leave the EU, the more than four million votes gained by Reform UK in the last General Election or now the more than 100,000 people marching on the streets of London last Saturday. There is clear discontent in our society.
The success of the far-right has been utilising this discontent for their own political gain by weaponizing immigration to suggest it is a core reason for our national turmoil. By providing an answer, when no one else did, millions listened. And when they listened, they turned out to vote and they turned out to march and more will follow in their wake if Britain fails to mobilise a coalition of anti-fascism.
To do so, the left must speak to those who feel politically lost. To provide a real answer to discontent and to provide a real message of hope. Because every day the left fails to do this another person finds that hope in the far-right and everyday their movement gets bigger. This message must come from reality; it cannot come from another populist lie such as immigration. Instead, it must explain the realities of our economic turmoil and explain that our current economic system no longer serves the working people of Britain. Without this response, the rise of the far-right may be the defining feature of our generation.
“Say No to Tommy Robinson – 01” by garryknight is marked with CC0 1.0.
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The Far-Right is Knocking on Number 10: The Left Must Respond
On Saturday 13 September over 100,000 people marched on London in the name of “Unite the Kingdom,” the largest far right march in UK history. Its size and rhetoric are a key symptom of a growing crisis, representing the move away from centrist “adult” politics, towards far-right populism in a way this nation has never seen before.
Ironically, their message of division and hate towards immigration and establishment politics gives the left the resources it needs to defeat this crisis. First, we must consider the nature of this movement. Many use it as an outlet for their personal racism, but to suggest each attendee of the march, and the broader movement, is personally racist is a misdiagnosis of the crisis.
Why are so many people turning to the far-right?
There is a clear connection between national economic underperformance, and millions of Britons turning to the far-right given its rapid growth following the ‘08 crash. Consistent 20th century economic growth provided a bright future for each generation. But almost two decades of economic underperformance from the near collapse of our banking system and the austerity that followed suit has stripped millions of Britons of their once bright future.
What was needed was hope from the British political establishment. This was never provided. Leading many to feel abandoned by their political system. These millions have associated this failure with the political establishment, causing inevitable backlash. Whether you’re observing the decision to leave the EU, the more than four million votes gained by Reform UK in the last General Election or now the more than 100,000 people marching on the streets of London last Saturday. There is clear discontent in our society.
The success of the far-right has been utilising this discontent for their own political gain by weaponizing immigration to suggest it is a core reason for our national turmoil. By providing an answer, when no one else did, millions listened. And when they listened, they turned out to vote and they turned out to march and more will follow in their wake if Britain fails to mobilise a coalition of anti-fascism.
To do so, the left must speak to those who feel politically lost. To provide a real answer to discontent and to provide a real message of hope. Because every day the left fails to do this another person finds that hope in the far-right and everyday their movement gets bigger. This message must come from reality; it cannot come from another populist lie such as immigration. Instead, it must explain the realities of our economic turmoil and explain that our current economic system no longer serves the working people of Britain. Without this response, the rise of the far-right may be the defining feature of our generation.
“Say No to Tommy Robinson – 01” by garryknight is marked with CC0 1.0.
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