George Monbiot
While all eyes are on Farage, we're overlooking something even worse: the building of the very tight and truly vile operation that is Restore Britain. This excellent essay/report by Simon Pearson should wake us up to the threat - and to what exactly it is. simonpearson1.substack.com/p/tory-30

“Tory 3.0”
“Tory 3.0”

The British far right has spent fifty years failing to find a leader who looks like he could run the country. Last Thursday, it did. This is Tory 3.0.

Anti-Capitalist Musings
May 14 at 8:01amWeb
Show threadGeorge Monbiot6d ago
Restore Britain could split the far right vote. But it could also shift the entire political spectrum even further to the right. Simon Pearson offers a powerful explanation of its real agenda. You might not be entirely surprised to learn that its plans will help no one but the economic elite.
Show threadGeorge Monbiot6d ago
Of course, the whole programme is about telling people the opposite: it's all for the benefit of the man and woman "in the street", who are persuaded that their enemy is not the owners of capital, but immigrants, Muslims and anyone else who can be othered.
Show threadGeorge Monbiot6d ago
Never mind that this formula has been used for at least 2,000 years (probably long before, but I go back on this only as far as Ancient Rome). Never mind that the con is more tired and obvious than a three-card monte. Still works every time.
Show threadGeorge Monbiot6d ago
*Incidentally, not long ago I watched a German tourist hand a €100 note to a monte huckster in Paris, then react with astonishment and outrage when he lost it. It's as if we learn nothing from other people's mistakes ...
Show threadReg6d ago

@georgemonbiot.bsky.social

This is concerning because Lowe's success will inevitably be used to attract political funding, which given the current state of political finance could result in election-turning sums being poured into campaigning and targeted advertising on social media.

The most likely alternative to far-right nationalism in England would be regional devolution to bring England into line with Scotland, Wales and NI, but no one in Westminster will touch it.

Show threadshem6d ago

@georgemonbiot.bsky.social

A friend of mine was saying he will be voting for Rupert based on this speech.
https://www.rupertlowe.co.uk/speech/parents-should-have-the-right-to-take-their-children-out-of-school/

Parents should have the right to take their children out of school | Rupert Lowe MP

Rupert Lowe MP
Show threadConny Nasch6d ago
@shemjm @georgemonbiot.bsky.social What a dangerous shit! Looking to form future serfs, it seems?
Show threadshem6d ago

@connynasch

I mean I agree with him on that. As a parent myself, it should be fully up to me when I get to take my kids on holiday. The UK school system is a joke.

Show threadConny Nasch6d ago
@shemjm I am not knowledgeable on their system, but in Luxembourg we have a very tight one, with good results, even though it is international.
Show threadshem6d ago

@connynasch how do school holidays work there?

Personally I am of the opinion that parents are the authority when it comes to childcare and the government should support them.

Show threadConny Nasch6d ago
@shemjm they are set and regular, enough of them to have a relaxed student population.