In the summer of 2024, we witnessed alarming violence and racist intimidation on our streets. Now, with Donald Trump re-elected, the global far-right is emboldened to further attack our already vulnerable communities. The sickening flames of the riots may have burned themselves out, but the embers of hatred, frustration, and alienation still continue to shimmer under the ashes.
Given these underlying tensions, it’s not hard to see, given the context, how something similar, worse even, might arise again – and soon.
The easy thing to do is try to move on. Easy because to do otherwise is to embrace complexity, nuance and fundamental challenges and change.
But without a comprehensive response, we risk falling into a pattern of “sticking plaster politics,” where the true causes of unrest are neglected, and we end up in a cycle doomed to repeat itself.
Our report, After the Riots, aims to understand the causes of the disturbing unrest we lived through this summer, and how we can begin to cure them.
The roots of these riots run deep. They are not the product of any one party’s rule; the rot stretches back decades.
When people feel unheard, alienated, or neglected by the political system, it creates fertile ground for extremism to take root. To tackle the threat of the far-right, we need an overhaul of how power operates and how well we can all feel a sense of agency over our lives and places.
We are calling for the appointment of a Community Resilience Czar to lead a coordinated, cross-government strategy to strengthen our communities and safeguard our democracy.
To rebuild resilience against the far-right, we need bold reforms to revitalise participation, empower local communities, and hold leaders accountable. This includes:
- Meaningful democratic reforms that increase voter participation in elections everywhere.
- Effective devolution to empower local voices and give communities control.
- Institutionalising deliberative democracy in national, regional, and local government to engage citizens in the decisions that impact their lives.
- Restoring standards and trust in public life by holding leaders to the highest level of accountability.
- Funding local government effectively, so it can be the cornerstone of community resilience.
We are united – as individuals and organisations who want to protect our communities and democracy – in our call for a Community Resilience Czar to drive these reforms and strengthen our political system.
The threat of the far right is real, and so must be the Government’s response.
Signed by:
- Daniel Harris, Managing Director DHA Communications
- Caroline Lucas MP Brighton Pavilion 2010-2024, Former Leader and Co-Leader, Green Party of England and Wales
- James Robertson, Campaign Director, Sortition Foundation
- Manda Scott, author and podcaster at Accidental Gods
- Shelagh Wright, co-chair Compass
- Tom Schuller, Chair, Prisoner Learning Alliance
- Nadia Whittome, MP Nottingham East
- Tom Brake, Director, Unlock Democracy
- Andy O’Brien, Co-Founder, Bristol Energy Cooperative
- Isky Gordon, Network for Social Change
- Roz Savage MP South Cotswold, MBE
- Carla Denyer, MP Bristol Central, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales
- Compassion in Politics
- Jon Alexander, author, Citizens
- Sian Berry MP Brighton Pavilion
- Ellie Chowns MP North Herefordshire
- Adrian Ramsay MP Waveney Valley, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales
- Chris Bettles, Director & Co-Founder, If Not Now
- Paul Inskip, Outreach, Independent Constitutionalists UK & Stand Up Racism South
- Oli Whittington, Our House