The Rise of Fascism and White Supremacy

Fascism, a political ideology originating in early 20th-century Europe, is characterised by a hierarchical, often xenophobic social order, authoritarian nationalism, and the suppression of political dissent. The term "reconstructed-Nazism" describes how modern far-right movements and parties strategically rebrand to appeal to a broader audience while reflecting aspects of fascism and white supremacy in their rhetoric. This essay will explore the interconnected issues of immigrant scapegoating, the significant influence of powerful elites, and the complex dynamics of oppression and resistance.

Fascism in Modern British Politics - The Case of Reform UK

Defining Features of Reform UK and Fascist Alignment

The Reform UK party, formerly known as the Brexit Party, has garnered considerable attention in British politics, particularly following the Brexit campaign. Through a rigorous sociological lens, aspects of Reform UK can be seen to align with fascist characteristics. A defining feature is its profoundly ingrained sense of nationalism, primarily demonstrated by strong support for British sovereignty, a key issue during and after Brexit. This nationalism, which emphasises the superiority of a specific nation, often leads to the exclusion or marginalisation of "outsiders" or "non-nationals," a fundamental aspect of fascist ideology. The party's discourse frequently evokes sentimental nostalgia for an idealised past, highlighting patriotism and national regeneration, similar to fascist ideologies that stress national rebirth and the establishment of a homogeneous national community.

Anti-Immigrant and Xenophobic Policies

Another key aspect supporting Reform UK's alignment with fascism is its blatantly anti-immigrant and xenophobic immigration policy. The party advocates for strict immigration laws aimed at reducing the number of immigrants entering the UK. This strategy mirrors fascist ideologies, which often blame immigrants and ethnic minorities for various social issues. Reform UK's discourse frequently employs fear-mongering tactics to suggest that immigrants pose a threat to British jobs, culture, and security, utilising an "us versus them" narrative common in fascist ideology to unite native people against a perceived common outgroup.

Authoritarian Inclinations and Leadership Style

Despite being a democratic party, Reform UK's policy proposals and rhetoric exhibit authoritarian inclinations. Their support for more powerful executive powers and criticism of judicial independence suggest a desire for a more centralised system of government. The party's leadership style, especially under figures like Nigel Farage, is top-down, concentrating decision-making in the hands of a select few, which is consistent with fascist ideas of authoritarian control through the suppression of internal dissent and silencing critical voices. An emphasis on law and order, including demands for stricter enforcement and more severe punishments for criminal offenses, also constitutes a fascist component, often bordering on punitive populism and prioritizing rigid discipline and social conformity over civil liberties.

Charismatic Leadership and Populism

Charming leadership and populism are integral to Reform UK's approach. The party frequently portrays itself as a champion of "ordinary people" against "corrupt elites" to garner support, a common tactic for fascist organisations. Their emphasis on direct democracy, such as referendums, can appeal to fascist sentiments by directly engaging the populace rather than through conventional democratic channels, potentially weakening representative democratic institutions. Charismatic leaders like Nigel Farage have cultivated a cult of personality, a hallmark of fascist groups, playing a crucial role in shaping the party's image and mobilising support through impassioned and often incendiary speeches.

Nigel Farage's Background and Far-Right Connections

Nigel Farage's personal history further supports these connections. Former school employees recall him yelling "Hitler youth songs," expressing "racist and neo-fascist views," and showing respect for a racist leader, Enoch Powell, whom Farage referred to as a "political hero". Farage even stated that Powell's "Rivers of Blood" speech "dazzled" and "taught" him a lot, leading him to believe Powell had been "proven right" and to attempt to disguise Powell's opinions to make them more acceptable.

Although Reform UK is classified as a radical right-wing group rather than an outright fascist one, its use of far-right rhetoric and its attraction of members and former members of fascist groups due to its anti-immigrant racism and Islamophobia are evident. The party's manifesto, reflecting its business-minded leadership, strongly emphasises anti-immigration policies and "British culture, identity, and values," alongside plans for significant tax cuts benefiting corporations and the wealthy.

The Broader Landscape of Far-Right Extremism and its Impact

Repercussions of Anti-Immigrant Sentiment and Violence

The strong anti-immigrant mentality promoted by groups like Reform UK has deeply unsettling repercussions, fostering a broader atmosphere of bigotry and occasional violence. The summer of 2024 saw racist rioting in Britain reach its highest level in recent memory, with violence erupting in 18 towns and cities across England and Northern Ireland. These protests were primarily fuelled by disinformation and unfounded allegations that authorities were concealing "Islamist motives" behind events like the Southport attack, despite the attacker not being Muslim. The violence included attacks on police, clashes between counter-protesters, the throwing of missiles, the singing of far-right slogans, mistreatment of minority ethnic communities, and acts of looting and arson, including attempts to burn migrant housing sites with occupants inside.

The Role of the "Post-Organisational" Far Right and Social Media

These disruptions were largely orchestrated by the "post-organisational" far right, spontaneously organised by local individuals not affiliated with official organisations but connected through dispersed online networks. Tensions were exacerbated by provocative misinformation and unproven claims disseminated by social media celebrities such as Laurence Fox and Andrew Tate. Tate's video, viewed over 12 million times before its removal, made the incorrect allegation that the Southport attacker was an "undocumented migrant" who arrived by water. Fox demanded the "permanent removal of Islam from Great Britain". The claim that some populations do not "act like us" marked a shift from biological racism to cultural racism, with the language that "multiculturalism has failed" commonly used to justify calls for violence.

Radicalisation and Conspiracy Theories

Cavan Medlock's radicalisation serves as a potent example of the harmful effects of such speeches. Medlock, a self-described former Conservative Party and UKIP member, carried out a terrorist attack against an immigration lawyer. His fascist worldview was infused with far-right conspiracy jargon, such as the "white genocide" hypothesis and antisemitic schemes, as he believed that "globalist" Jews were waging a war of annihilation against white Britons. His actions were directly inspired by the government's widespread campaign against "activist lawyers" and tabloid stories.

Reconstructed-Nazism and Strategic Rebranding

"Reconstructed-Nazism" represents a troubling issue where neo-nazi organisations strategically rebrand themselves as "anti-nazi" or pro-jewish to gain credibility and influence mainstream legislation while maintaining their fundamental beliefs. Examples include Austria's Freedom Party of Austria (FPO), founded by a former Nazi SS officer and still classified by the Israeli Foreign Ministry as a "pro-Nazi party" despite its rebranding efforts. Similarly, Belgium's Vlaams Belang (VB), previously banned, relaunched with a "pro-Jewish" stance, acknowledged by its leader Filip Dewinter as a "tactic".

Key Players and Organisations in Modern Extremism

• Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon): A key figure in anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim activism, connected to Pegida UK and the English Defence League (EDL). His public visibility has been significantly boosted by figures like Elon Musk, who openly backed him and offered to cover his legal fees.
• Patriotic Alternative (PA): A neo-nazi organization advocating the "white genocide" conspiracy theory and "remigration," a euphemism for the mass deportation of non-white people. Despite internal conflicts, PA has worked to promote "whites only" neighbourhoods and influence electoral politics.
• Homeland Party: A prominent splinter organisation from PA, more optimistic about electoral politics, pushing for "remigration" and employing a "ladder strategy" to gain local power.
• The British Movement (BM): A long-standing neo-nazi group known for attracting violent individuals and inciting racist violence. It is currently attempting to recruit new activists by imitating "Active Club" fitness programs.
• Active Clubs (ACs): A global network of dispersed fascist fitness and combat training clubs that combine physical training with group devotion and political radicalism, thereby increasing the danger of radicalisation.
• Holocaust Deniers and Conspiracy Theorists: Individuals such as Nick Kollerstrom, John Hamer, and David Icke propagate conspiracy theories and antisemitism, including Holocaust denial. Such content is published in magazines like Heritage & Destiny and The Light.
• 764 Cult: An online exploitation network primarily targeting young people, which glorifies suffering and brutality. It is increasingly inspired by Nazi-Satanic beliefs, such as those of the Order of Nine Angles (O9A). Members commit extreme behaviours, including offline attacks, child exploitation, and self-harm, sometimes without explicit political motivations but using extremist narratives to justify their outrage.

These organisations leverage social media to mobilise crowds, disseminate hate, and encourage radicalisation. The Southport murderer, who showed interest in Al-Qaeda handbooks and school shootings, exemplifies the "ideologically fluid" nature of some young radicals who incorporate elements from various, even conflicting, ideologies.

Ideological Obstruction and Economic Disparities

Climate Change Denial by the Far-Right

Reform UK and other far-right parties actively oppose climate policy and deny the existence of climate change. Richard Tice, Reform UK's deputy leader, has dismissed scientific findings as "garbage" and asserted "no evidence" for human-caused climate change. Other party leaders, including Nigel Farage, promote similar views, linking "Net Zero" initiatives to "climate lockdowns" and rising energy costs. These parties reinterpret climate policy as an instrument of supranational control, an ideological agenda, and an economic threat. They portray fossil fuels as symbols of national stability and attribute economic downfall to green initiatives rather than other causes. Climate-denial think tanks, such as the US-based Heartland Institute, which has partnered with far-right parties to amplify its influence, push narratives consistent with this discourse.

Economic Disparities and Misdirected Blame

Contrary to the negative impression these movements often project onto immigrants, immigrants positively impact society by boosting local businesses and communities. They are frequently blamed for issues that are actually exacerbated by factors such as excessive wealth concentrations. Billionaires, despite occasionally founding powerful businesses, often profit disproportionately from public investments and utilise publicly sponsored infrastructure and expertise. A fair tax system remains essential, yet many ultra-rich individuals employ clever tax avoidance techniques to pay a disproportionately lower tax burden than the general public. Such a large number of billionaires signifies distorted economic policies that prioritise wealth over labour, granting them disproportionate control over the media, politics, and markets, which presents a "clear and present danger" to society.

Addressing Systemic Issues - Critical Frameworks and Challenges

Critical Race Theory (CRT)

Nuanced strategies, such as those provided by Critical Race Theory (CRT), are necessary to address these intricate societal issues. CRT, founded by students of colour in the 1970s and 1980s, challenges white supremacist narratives in academia and the legal system. It emphasises concepts such as Interest Convergence, Revisionist History, Critique of Liberalism, and Structural Determinism.

Critical Whiteness Studies (CWS)

Critical Whiteness Studies (CWS) is another vital framework that examines white culture and its role in upholding white supremacist structures. CWS highlights the importance of investigating white people's attitudes, sentiments, and actions in anti-racism efforts.

Overcoming Obstacles in Equality Discourse

A major obstacle in discussions about equality is the zero-sum paradigm, which views gains for marginalised groups as losses for the dominant group. This mindset also applies to power, often seen as a finite resource that can be "taken" and "redistributed," fostering an "either/or" mentality. However, according to Interest Convergence, victories in racial rights often align with white self-interest, encouraging a belief that power can be shared and expanded through cooperation.

Due to deeply rooted white perspectives, social work, a profession with a large white workforce, frequently struggles to embrace CWS principles. Many hold misconceptions, such as believing all white people are inherently racist or incapable of combating racism independently. A significant number of white people believe in "reverse racism," despite a lack of support for this concept in textbook definitions. Disregarding ideas like "The Great Replacement Theory" can have fatal effects, as evidenced by violent acts such as mass shootings that invoke this theory.

Strategies for Prevention and Collaboration

An "intervention vs. prevention" dichotomy often results in an excessive focus on short-term fixes rather than addressing underlying causes. To prevent white supremacy effectively, it must be viewed as a problem created by white people, necessitating their involvement in its prevention. While "de-centring whiteness" aims to move away from white cultural norms as the default, this approach may be misinterpreted as removing white people from racial discourse, thereby assisting conservative efforts to silence racial discussions. For shared liberation and mutual accountability, it is recommended that white people and people of colour co-create venues where they can lead and work together.

Conclusion

In conclusion, political ideologies, societal dynamics, and extremist movements are intricately linked, presenting a complex array of challenges. The presence of fascist elements, characterised by nationalism and anti-immigrant attitudes, in parties like Reform UK, coupled with violent far-right extremist actions throughout the UK, necessitates urgent attention and action. Climate change denial further exemplifies ideological obstruction by the far-right. Sociological frameworks such as Critical Race Theory and Critical Whiteness Studies offer valuable insights and practical solutions to systemic racism.