When the far right is rising in Europe, there is a very real concern that Britain’s ruling class is not being alert enough to its dangers. Since Brexit, the Conservative party has been transfixed by the threat of Faragist nationalism, marginalising its thoughtful voices and turning to “deep state” conspiracies. The Tories feel menaced by the Reform party, which draws about half its support from voters who backed the Conservatives at the last election.
The Conservative party reasons that if it cannot beat the radical right it must join them. This is bad for Britain. Ministers trade in performative cruelty to refugees, and vulnerable and poor people. With a political and media ecosystem that has permitted society’s divisions to be openly stoked, arsenic is being poured into the water supply of our national conversation.
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