How to Defeat the Far Right

An urgent call to resist the forces of extremism and intolerance we see on the march in Western societies, and a guide to how to go about it. We are living in dangerous times. The election of Donald Trump in the United States represents just the latest far right electoral victory across the world. Far right-led governments are in place in Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands and Austria. Parties from the far right also triumphed in recent elections in Sweden and France. The far right is in power in Argentina and could well make a return in Brazil in the coming years. Nativist, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim narratives are increasingly the norm, while action against climate change is being reduced or even reversed. Britain is not immune to the rise of the far right. Nigel Farage's Reform UK polled 4.1 million votes in the recent General Election and is now polling strongly. In summer 2024 the former EDL leader, Tommy Robinson, led a demonstration of almost 40,000 people in London and racist and anti-immigrant riots swept Britain. The political landscape looks grim, but it doesn't need to be so. This book offers an understandable explanation for what is happening, why, and, more importantly, suggests practical ways for the far right to be defeated in Britain. Drawing on Nick Lowles' 35 years of personal experience and 20 years leading HOPE not hate, Britain's largest anti-fascist organisation, this book will examine the political threat we face and draw on years of good practice and innovative campaign ideas to offer the reader - politicians, community activists and citizens alike - a realisable way to beat the far right and demonstrate that HOPE can triumph over hate.