In recent years, as far as elections go, the far right has been in the wilderness: but at this years’ local elections in May, things are looking very different.
A potent combination of crises including the pandemic, rising political distrust and soaring living costs has created fertile ground for the growth of far right ideas.
For the first time in several years, there are genuine electoral threats from the far right. But we know if we work together we can send them packing – we’ve done it before we can do it again.
Below are some ideas for actions we can take to help defeat hate at the ballot box on 5th May.
We’re still analysing announcements across hundreds of races, but we already know we’re expecting far more effective election campaigns from two of the UK’s main far right parties, For Britain and Britain First.
We’re holding the following weekends of action in areas where they post a threat including:
Join us to make a real difference on the ground in communities the far right is targeting and be part of collective efforts to encourage people to vote for hope instead.
It doesn’t matter if you have never done anything like this before, no experience is required nor is committing to both days if you can only do one. Get in touch with Roxy, our Campaigns Organiser, on [email protected] to let us know you’re interested and we’ll send you more details on how to get involved.
Please register to vote and encourage everyone you know to do the same! You have until 11:59pm on 14 April in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and until 11:59pm on 18 April in Scotland.
Research has shown that one person encouraging one or two friends to register and vote is the most effective way of increasing voter turnout! How simple is that?
Please send any far right leaflets coming through your door to us on [email protected] or to our postal address: Suite 1, 3rd Floor, 11-12 St. James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LB
Want to leaflet locally? Got your own idea for a great local campaign? Get in touch with Roxy on [email protected] for resources and support.
We know from experience that one of the biggest factors in the electoral success of far right groups is low voter turnout. Remember to vote on 5th May and encourage your friends and family to join you – perhaps you can offer someone a lift to the polling station if they need it!
Follow HOPE not hate on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest local elections news and actions you can take – this Twitter thread will be updated with live updates on where the far right, radical right and conspiracy theorists will be standing in this year’s local elections.
Can you chip into our fighting fund to stop the local elections being overtaken by hate? Some of the plans we’ll be able to roll out with your support include:
A Reform Party candidate fantasised about deporting “millions” of British citizens to “rid itself of the foreign plague we have been diseased with”. UPDATE: Reform…
