The far-right demonstrations require a firm law-and-order response, but also a positive plan for renewal, writes Nick Forbes. Plus letters from Tufail Hussain of Islamic Relief UK and Raj Parkash As leader of Newcastle city council (2011-22), I was often faced with the summertime challenge of far-right marches and demonstrations being planned in the city. Many political colleagues would demand loudly that such protests be banned, or that larger counter-demonstrations be held to show superior numbers of “civilised” people versus “thugs”. I found such performative virtue signalling counterproductive and divisive. There was always a small hardcore of far-right activists at the heart of these conflicts, but they only got wider traction and support because of the anger generated by a keen feeling of cumulative injustices imposed on our communities through Tory austerity cuts and decline. Understanding this sense of loss, the misguided desire to protect what was “theirs” and the misdirected anger at “outsiders” was essential in minimising their long-term success. Despite huge losses to the council’s budget, we focused on bringing inward investment, creating more and better jobs, building more homes and protecting public services that supported the most vulnerable. This may have been one of the reasons Newcastle voted – albeit narrowly – for remain in the Brexit referendum. Continue reading...

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