The Times They Are A-Changin’: Anarchy in the UK 

 

 

“It’s coming sometime and maybe”  

 

 

Everyone appears to have an opinion on our democracy, primarily those that don’t live here. 

 

James Dyson, an enthusiastic Brexiter resides in Singapore. 

In an interview with GB News about our high energy costs, net zero policies and the impact of mass migration, the US president said Britain was “on the edge of disaster.” 

The South African / US tech-baron, Elon Musk, supports Restore after saying Nigel Farage “doesn’t have what it takes.” 

The latest are two crypto-barons, who appear to reside in Thailand and HK, donating £36m each to Reform. Donations which may, or may not be legal, depending on whether they have returned to the UK. 

Whilst the current rules, the proposed representation of the people bill, do not cap individual donations, Britons living overseas will be limited to giving a maximum of £100,000. 

The entire funding of Reform appears to be in question. 

 

‘The entire funding of Reform appears to be in question’

 

Party leader Farage is being investigated for potential non-disclosure, there are the loans / donations from George Cottrell and his mother. 

Last week, it was announced that both the police and Electoral Commission are investigating the saga surrounding Dan Jukes and James Orr, after they were filmed discussing ways to get around electoral law with a reporter posing as the son of a foreign businessman. 

Another bone of contention for Reform is the rise of the Patriot Platform. A group that appears to mark a significant shift both in rhetoric and tactics, and threatens to shift the ecosystem of Britains far-right. 

Their members appears to be disciplined, well-organised and militaristic. Whilst in appearance and behaviour they resemble Moseley’s “Black Shirts”, they are more modern, utilising the online influencer culture, and, with their refrain of “protecting our woman”, have manosphere undertones. 

 They are a strange mix, hiding behind masks, and intertwining Christian chanting with anti-migrant sentiment. 

In terms of protesting, they are far more sinister than the mainly mostly elderly people arrested earlier this year for holding placards reading: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” 

The movement has no manifesto, aside from claiming to be patriots who refuse “to stand by while Britain is dismantled”.  

 

‘they are far more sinister than the mainly mostly elderly people arrested earlier this year’

 

The movements leader, Danny Thomas, said: “For too long we’ve been walking down roads and waving flags and thinking this is somehow going to save us,” he says in one. “Migrants are having a detrimental effect on the safety of our women and children.” 

Thomas previously spent two years in prison for attempted kidnapping. After being released, Thomas said: “I repented; I gave my life to Jesus.” On social media he describes himself as “dedicated to defending my family and homeland, trusting in Jesus Christ, Our Saviour”. 

Embracing Christianity puts anti-migrant protesters at odds with the inclusive, pro-refugee position of the established Church of England.  

Madeleine Pennington, the head of research with the thinktank Theos, which is currently finalising a project on the rise of Christian nationalism in the UK, said research in 2013 had found little trace of the phenomenon in Britain, but said there had been a “step-change” in the past few years: “There are many Christians who are very concerned about a framing of Christianity that they don’t recognise as their own.”  

The bishop of Kirkstall, Arun Arora, who is the co-lead for racial justice in the Church of England, said the display of the cross on protest marches was not the cross of Christ “but rather a fashion accessory utilised by opportunists”. 

 

‘the cross on protest marches was not the cross of Christ “but rather a fashion accessory utilised by opportunists’

 

The rise of the Patriot Platform, and Restore, marks the beginning of a potential split in Britains right-wing politics, which is currently led by the traditional party of the right, the Conservatives, and the newer, anti-establishment, Reform. 

The problem for Reform, and especially party leader, Nigel Farage, is to how to respond. 

Farage, said the Patriot Platform display was “disgusting”. “Nobody, at any political protest, whether they’re on the left or right, should be wearing balaclavas. It is wrong, it’s horrible.” 

However, other party representatives saw the group as “patriots”. 

Their home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, clashed with the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, after her condemnation of the group, saying: “How dare you call them ‘thugs.” 

Reforms’ Dudley councillor, Andrew Southall, said, “Those patriots in Portsmouth have done more to stop the invasion than the last seven governments put together”, while the Portsmouth councillor Emily Strudwick spoke of “a great sense of community” at the protest, which she attended. 

 

‘We are better than that. Working people are better than that. And Britain is better than that’

 

There is also party’s decision to allow Ryan Bridge, a co-founder of the anti-migrant Raise the Colours group, a prominent platform at their conference, where Farage pledged to “legally back” him. 

The praise for Patriot Platform among some in Reform and ties to Raise the Colours come at a difficult time for Farage. Aside from all the controversy over the party’s funding, they are also flatlining in the polls after Labours’ Burnham bounce. Enticing wavering Tory voters will become more problematic if the party embraces these fringe entities. 

The new PM’s approach towards Reform has been a revelation. Rather than worrying about them and copying their policies, he is freezing them out, ignoring them. 

I shall leave the conclusion to Paul Nowak, the TUC general secretary: 

“There is a direct political thread, a nasty politics, that links Nigel Farage, Rupert Lowe, and Tommy Robinson, with Donald Trump, Maga and the US white supremacist movement. 

“It starts with demonising migrants. It flies flags, not as an expression of national pride, but to intimidate. It fans the literal flames that set fire to hostels and libraries. And it ends up with proto-fascist mobs roaming our streets in balaclavas, targeting brave volunteers in lifeboats. 

“That is not the sort of Britain that decent, fair-minded people want to live in. We are better than that. Working people are better than that. And Britain is better than that.” 

 

 

“I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore I want them to turn black”  

 

 

I have been giving some thought to the rise of fascism in the UK.

It’s nothing new, I have written about this for several years, and often made the point that many populists preferred that term to fascist, as it made them feel better about themselves.

The Patriot Platform is not really anything new, we have had the BNP et al since the 1970’s. This lot have tried to give themselves a veneer of respectability, more akin to Moseley’s BUF, but a fascist is a fascist.

The latest stunt, embracing Christianity, is at odds with the CoE, feeling more like The First Crusade of 1096–1099,  which resulted in the capture of Jerusalem, resulting in a massive massacre of Muslim and Jewish inhabitants.   

Not forgetting their march through Europe, which triggered violent pogroms and massacres of Jewish communities in the Rhineland.

I have said before that, when faced with such a choice, the British electorate will find the stench of the parties too fully-flavoured.

If we add the pernicious overseas influence and funding from crypto-barons, it all looks decidedly murky.

However, Burnham has to get it right, the electorate won’t accept any more false dawns.

Lyrically, we start with the obvious: “Anarchy In The U.K.” by Sex Pistols. To finish we have “Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones.

Much to contemplate, me thinks!

Philip

 

@coldwarsteve

 

Philip Gilbert is a city-based corporate financier, and former investment banker.

Philip is a great believer in meritocracy, and in the belief that if you want something enough you can make it happen. These beliefs were formed in his formative years, of the late 1970s and 80s

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