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 pernicious myths fueling this fire is the belief that asylum seekers come to the UK as economic migrants, drawn by the lure of benefits and free housing.
The reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Asylum seekers are barred from working and forced to survive on a paltry £49.18 per week—or a meagre £8.
86 if they receive food where they’re housed. Imagine trying to live on less than £50 a week in today’s economy—no one could. Moreover, the idea that asylum seekers are given priority for housing is a blatant falsehood.
In Northern Ireland, for instance, asylum housing is not luxurious hotels or homes; they are basic properties. Once their asylum application is dealt with, they must leave this accommodation and enter the Housing Executive system where they are dealt with in the same manner as ordinary citizens. This toxic narrative has been festering beneath the surface for years, and now it’s exploded into the open, driven by a catastrophic lack of leadership.
During the recent election campaign, I returned to my native West Belfast , where I also began my journalistic career, to gauge public sentiment as part of our 5000 Voices project . I was shocked by the overwhelming number of people who, while reluctant to appear on camera, cited immigration as a primary concern, convinced that too many newcomers were straining resources in Northern Ireland. We must ask ourselves how we’ve arrived at this point.
While some politicians are quick to blame social media platforms like X and TikTok for spreading misinformation, the traditional media has played a significant role in stoking these fears. When certain newspapers run almost daily front-page stories about asylum seekers supposedly draining the system, while ignoring the government’s systematic dismantling of public services, they are complicit in spreading misinformation. Regulatory bodies like OFCOM have also failed us, allowing some channels to abandon impartiality without consequence, further feeding this destructive narrative.
And let’s not overlook those who have hijacked these protests to indulge in criminality. This past week has seen the PSNI confirm that there has been paramilitary involvement in the recent riots and attempts by certain politicians to provide legitimacy to these criminal gangs by stating they have a role to play in ending the violence. One thing is abundantly clear, the rioters on Belfast’s streets are not motivated by genuine concern for the safety of our children, for the NHS or education; they are out to wreak havoc, plain and simple.
As these protests and riots continue, we must direct our anger where it truly belongs—not at those seeking refuge and a better life, but at the politicians who have systematically dismantled the services we all rely on. The real enemy isn’t the immigrant at our door; it’s the leaders who have abandoned their duty to serve the public good. Join our Belfast Live breaking news service on WhatsApp Click this link or scan the QR code to receive breaking news and top stories from Belfast Live.
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