Police during recent rioting in Belfast (Image: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye) When we think of the far-right, our minds often jump to the extreme: skinheads, swastikas, and goose-stepping Nazis. But today, the reality is far more insidious. As political narratives across the globe shift ever-rightward, the face of extremism has been recast.
It’s not just the violent fringe anymore; it’s your neighbour, your coworker, or even your family member. They look just like everyone else, but their beliefs echo a dangerous rhetoric that has seeped into the mainstream. The recent anti-immigration protests sweeping across the UK are undeniable proof of this.
These protests and riots , while born out of the tragic deaths of three young children in Southport, have developed into something more sinister. While some participants vehemently deny being racist, they argue that their frustrations stem from an overburdened system—too few houses, GP appointments, or school places. But let’s be clear: these grievances are the result of public policy failures, not the presence of immigrants.
Read more: PSNI officer suffers broken leg in recent disorder Read more: Jamie Bryson claims he was contacted by Russian agent following recent unrest The previous Conservative government’s relentless underfunding of public services has left the UK in shambles. Yet, instead of holding the true culprits accountable, these protesters have been misled to scapegoat the most vulnerable. One of the most pernicio.