HOPE not hate

As sure as the rising sun, bitter public recriminations have once again broken out among the UK’s fascist fringe. A rebel faction in the Homeland Party [https://hopenothate.org.uk/case-files-homeland-party/], Britain’s largest fascist political party, has demanded the ejection of its fractious chairman Kenny Smith and led an exodus of the party membership.

Is Reform UK as tough on crime as it claims to be, or are Nigel Farage and co hypocrites when it comes to just who is breaking the law? If their own record is anything to go by, Reform will only crack down on their opponents and they will be happy to bend the law for their friends.

One year ago, the horrific murders of Alice, Elsie and Bebe took place in Southport.  While many mourned, Britain’s far right twisted the tragedy, sparking the biggest outbreak of far-right rioting in post-war Britain.  Far-right actors seized the moment, spreading lies, stoking anger and unleashing seven days of unrest that left the country reeling.  We look at how it unfolded, and why the conditions that led to it still matter.

Reform UK has received millions of pounds in donations from climate deniers and fossil fuel sources, so it is not a surprise that Nigel Farage wants to make net zero the “next Brexit”. Which makes it all a bit embarrassing that on Monday, two of Reform’s top councillors missed an important council date to discuss a new solar panel project.

“Do I want to be an MP? Do I want to spend every Friday for the next five years in Clacton?” Thus spoke Nigel Farage in an interview [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/nigel-farage-the-tories-are-desperate-they-want-to-know-what-ill-do-xw3sbppn7] with The Times in February 2024, about which the reporter wrote: “His expression suggests not.” Just months later Farage joined Reform UK as leader and decided he did want to be a MP after all - even if he still wasn’t planning on spending much time in the constituency, Clacton-on-Sea, which elected him on 4 July 2024. One year on from his election, Farage’s report card has come in. And it’s not looking good for the Reform UK leader…