EMBARGOED 00:01 GMT MONDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2023
Contact:media@hopenothate.org.uk// 0207 952 1183

Rhetoric, Racism and Resentment: Far-Right Threat in the UK Capitalising on Current Climate

HOPE not hate, the UK's leading campaign group against the far-right, will on Monday release its annual State of HATE report finding a growing symmetry between the rhetoric of the far-right and the mainstream right, fuelling racism and breeding resentment within our communities.

Early access to the report can be found on HOPE not hate's website using the password: stateofhatepreview.

• The report details how the far-right is stirring once more and increasingly taking to the streets.HOPE not hate has recorded a 102% increase in migrant-hunting activity from 2012-22 with 253 recorded incidents.

• The far-right remain a very real and growing terrorist threat in the UK.2022 was a record year for far-right terror convictions, with 20 people convicted. 49% of terror arrests from January 2022 - September 2022 were linked to extreme right-wing terrorism.

• As we are seeing a parallel between the language of the mainstream and far-right, so too has HOPE not hate found Conservative councillors holding extreme views.HOPE not hate has uncovered more Conservative councillors who hold extreme views, ones who have defected from UKIP, found their way into the extreme Britain First and even been un-suspended by the Party after been discovered to hold racist views.

• Conditions are ripe for the far-right and their ideas to take root across communities in a post-Brexit, post-Covid climate and amidst the cost of living crisis.HOPE not hate's exclusive polling of 20,000 adults has found that 30% of people now consider themselves disadvantagedand 73% think Britain is going in the wrong direction.

• And as anti-LGBT+ hate sees an uptick, far-right groups are capitalising on this and utilising Drag Queen Story Hour to sow division.State of HATE charts the far-right's role in pushing transphobic narratives and campaigning against Drag Queen Story Hour events, including the extreme and Nazi-loving Patriotic Alternative

• The organised far-right in the UK are small but extreme, with the capacity to grow their reach through committed activism. Britain First and Patriotic Alternative remain the most influential and organised far-right groups.

• HOPE hot hate has uncovered the existence of a secretive, anti-Muslim group operating at the heart of Westminster.The New Issues Group seeks to exert its influence through Parliament and is host to well-known far-right figures. 

Nick Lowles, CEO of HOPE not hate said:

"What we're seeing today is an increasing symmetry between the far-right and the mainstream right in their rhetoric and language. This opens the door for the far-right to latch onto issues and try and take root within communities around the country. The migrant-hunting activity is an example of how the far-right are weaponising the issue to whip up local concerns and boost their presence.

The political climate is one that the far-right will have the ability to capitalise on. As people feel increasingly dejected and disadvantaged, some can turn to far-right ideas to explain their current situation.

The Government must not underestimate the very real, dangerous and growing threat that the far-right poses in the UK. Convictions and arrests show that the far-right threat is something that must be tackled head on, especially given the numbers of teenagers which is a worrying aspect of these statistics."

Notes to editors:

• HOPE not hate is the UK's leading anti-fascist campaign group which monitors and tackles the far-right.
• Spokespeople from HOPE not hate are available for further comments and broadcast interviews.
• Early access to the report can be found on HOPE not hate's website using the password: stateofhatepreview.
• State of HATE can be accessed here. 

Contact:

hopenothate.org.uk|@hopenothate|media@hopenothate.org.uk|0207 952 1183

HOPE not hate uses research, education and public engagement to challenge mistrust and racism, and helps to build communities that are inclusive, celebrate shared identities and are resilient to hate.