The quiet undercurrent: examining far-right politics in St Albans
It’s impossible to ignore the growing rise of resentment, division and blame that is increasingly evident in sections of British society, contributing to an upsurge in racism and nationalism reflected by far-right populist parties. In many parts of the country, Reform has swept in to mop up the remnants of disorientated and directionless Conservatism, with many former Tories joining their ranks even as the mainstream media gives them unprecedented coverage in contrast to other minority groups.
The backlash of social media comments condemning MP Daisy Cooper after her House of Commons condemnation of Elon Musk’s support for Tommy Robinson, the English flags seen adorning lamp-posts and painted on roundabouts across the district, and even the vandalism of Bricket Wood’s menorah ahead of last December’s Chanukah—all signs of an undercurrent of extremism bubbling beneath the surface—are they strong enough to seize power, though?
In a bid to identify the potential causes behind a rise in the right, how the impact of this sea change can be mitigated, and whether it should be a cause for concern, we contacted community leaders, politicians and other local figureheads to determine whether far-right politics have already taken hold in the district. But the political group you would most expect to have a say on any perceived upswing in far-right support refused to comment.
We asked Eleanor Jackson, chair of St Albans Reform Party, whether she thought there had been a rise in far-right politics in the district, why people might be attracted to these politics, what can be done to prevent any negative impact on certain sections of the community, and if she considered Reform to be a major threat to mainstream politics locally. She declined to respond to any of these questions, leaving us in the dark about Reform’s local strategy and even what she might think about the resignations and suspensions of 36 of their councillors and two MPs across the UK.
Rev Peter Crumpler, associate minister at St Paul’s Church in Fleetville, is a long-term advocate of open dialogues and discussions to deflect any divisions within society. “My concern is more about a situation developing where everyone digs themselves into silos. Somehow, we need to keep conversations going, so there is a middle ground where ideas can be talked through,” he said. “Otherwise, we shut down debate and see the ‘other side’ as the enemy, with nothing sensible to say and all their views and ideas to be dismissed. We need to be able to keep seeing ‘the other’ as people to be respected and listened to. Social media algorithms and shouty politics work to divide us. A knowledge and awareness of our shared humanity can help us stay together, working together for the good of all.”
St Albans MP Daisy Cooper suggested the cause could be an underlying frustration for a lack of any real change in the aftermath of 14 years of Conservative Government. She said: “People are understandably impatient for the change they were promised. They want to see improvements in their lives and in their communities. And they want to know that those who are elected to represent them are listening and on their side. But whilst the Labour Government is embarking on some of the longer-term reforms the country needs, it’s still failing to deliver tangible real change that people can feel, here and now. Whether it’s getting NHS waiting lists down, sorting out the SEND crisis or tackling the cost of living and the cost of doing business, a decent Government needs to be able to pat its head and rub its tummy at the same time—delivering short-term and long-term improvements in tandem. I’m continuing to fight for St Albans in Parliament: to make the Government rethink their flawed tax hikes hitting high street businesses, address the NHS and care crisis, and support our plans to halve energy bills over the next decade. We Liberal Democrats will continue working hard to deliver change locally, and we’ll keep pressing the Government to deliver it nationally too.”
The cost of living crisis has prompted a rise in far-right politics. Simon Grover, leader of the Greens and Independent group on SADC, said while there had been some far-right candidates and parties gaining a little more attention at recent elections, he felt it was a flicker rather than a surge, and on the whole St Albans remains an open, welcoming place. “People here care about fairness, not division. Most of what we’re seeing is online—people echoing national talking points, often driven by fear or frustration. On the ground, St Albans communities still come together. This is a welcoming place—strongly Remain and increasingly diverse. Local groups are focused on helping neighbours, improving green spaces and supporting families. That’s where most people’s energy still goes.”
Cllr Emma Turnbull, Labour Group leader on St Albans district council, echoed those sentiments: “At both local and national levels, we’re seeing a rise in support for far-right and far-left political parties. At either extreme, these groups seek to divide society and offer simplistic answers to complex problems. I’m proud that here in St Albans our community remains open and fair-minded, but we can’t be complacent.”
Former Conservative group leader at SADC, Mary Maynard, has been keeping a close eye on whether there has actually been any sort of upsurge in far-right politics locally, rather than a general disillusionment with mainstream politics and discontent with social inequality. “If you define ‘far-right politics’ as ultraconservatism, authoritarianism, ultranationalism, radical anti-communism, ethnonationalism and nativism, then there is no evidence that any of this exists,” Maynard explained. “There is, however, a surge in concern amongst a wide range of people about economic decline; cost of living increases; mass, uncontrolled migration of millions of people putting pressure on jobs, homes and the NHS; increased sectarianism and racism; lack of jobs and educational opportunities; increased crime; a two-tier political, judiciary and policing system; benefit abuse and poor public service delivery. This is fuelling major shifts in political allegiances and the rise of populism. People are becoming concerned about the impact of economic and rapid social changes on their families and communities and the failure of mainstream parties to address their concerns. They are turning to minority parties (Reform, the Greens and Muslim sectarian candidates) who represent a protest vote and a chance for change. There are increasing numbers of people who perceive ‘the system’ to be unfair and discriminatory. Young people who can’t find jobs or afford homes and who struggle with depressed incomes and rising inflation. The traditional white working class, who feel nobody represents them, and who are called ‘far-right’ and ‘racist’ if they protest about lack of jobs; their kids’ poor educational opportunities, the imposition of undocumented, foreign males in their neighbourhoods; or the trafficking of girls in their communities. Free speech and two-tier justice campaigners are concerned that a mother spent two and a half years in prison, with no reduction in sentence, merely for a social media tweet, when a migrant who sexually harassed and attacked a young girl was imprisoned for 12 months and released after five. Protesters on the left, concerned about the Government criminalising organisations they believe advocate for justice, are prepared to fight for causes they think are just e.g. anti-poverty and anti-racism.”
The appeal of far-right politics to particular sections of society is something that cannot be ignored, but why is this becoming increasingly prevalent? Harpenden MP Victoria Collins laid the blame firmly at the feet of the previous Government: “Far-right politics is on the rise, fuelled by frustration after 15 years of government failure. But the empty promises of the far-right won’t fix the NHS, cut bills, or help families through the cost of living crisis. The Liberal Democrats offer something better—fairness, respect, and real solutions. We’re improving local health and social care, backing small businesses, and making sure every child gets the support they deserve. People don’t want noise or blame; they want real change, real growth and real action that makes life better.” Cllr Grover said it’s because people feel ignored and left behind: “When politicians don’t listen, people turn to whoever says they do. Some are scared about the economy, immigration or war, and fear makes people vulnerable to simple answers—even bad ones. Unfortunately Reform have no meaningful answers to any of this. They play on division and fear, instead of unity and hope.”
Those comments were backed up by Cllr Turnbull: “Many people turn to these extremes because they feel unheard by those in power. Trust in politicians has been eroded—not just by scandals like the MPs’ expenses affair or the Covid ‘VIP lane’, but also by the everyday sense that governments and councils are not really listening. We saw that frustration this summer when St George’s cross flags and Union Flags appeared on lamp posts across the county. For most residents, this was an expression of pride, not prejudice. They were upset to hear politicians describe it as ‘vandalism.’ When leaders dismiss people’s feelings instead of engaging with them, it deepens the sense that politics is out of touch—and that’s when extremist voices can find an audience. Here in St Albans, residents also feel unheard on issues such as parking charges or failures in the special educational needs system. These problems don’t cause extremism by themselves, but they do create the frustration in which it can grow.”
source:https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/feature/no-right-turn-or-is-there-a-rise-in-extremist-politics-across-the-st-albans-district/
