CROYDON COMMENTARY by JERRY FITZPATRICK
Dog-whistler: Hope Not Hate leaflets provide insight into the nasty side of Susan Hall
Describing itself as an organisation which has “roots firmly and proudly in the British anti-fascist movement”, Hope Not Hate works to expose and oppose extreme right-wing political activity in Britain.
A record number of far-right sympathisers were convicted of terror-related offences in 2023. Hope Not Hate’s most recent report provides details.
Much of Hope Not Hate’s current work is targeted at the right-wing dog-whistlers: those who claim to personally have an array of best friends who are people of colour or Jews, but who can’t stop putting out messages that their friends are destroying British values. Presumably values such as civility, tolerance, respect for others and giving opinions which have a sound evidence base.
Susan Hall, the Conservative candidate for London Mayor, is a dog-whistler. I won’t publicise the evidence. If you must see her offensive messages, retweets and approval of hate-speaking tweets, you can find them easily enough online.
Hope Not Hate is leafleting about Susan Hall in South Croydon on Sunday, meeting at South Croydon Station at 2pm. The leaflet is not supporting or opposing any other mayoral candidate.
All are welcome to take part, including Conservative supporters. There are many Conservatives who are sick at heart about extremists within their party. It is heartening that Croydon’s former Tory MP, Gavin Barwell, continues to give a lead on calling out extremism within his party. I was fortunate enough to meet Bernard Weatherill on many occasions, and I am absolutely sure Gavin’s much-respected predecessor would be looking down with strong approval.
Halting the onward march of the far-right nationally and internationally has become the major issue of our time.
Join the Hope Not Hate group on Sunday if you can. But if not, please find whatever other way you think best to push back the extremists. We need to push hard. And the pushing may take some time.
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- Jerry Fitzpatrick is a retired lawyer and former Labour councillor in Croydon
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