03 Nov 2025
It’s impossible to ignore the growing rise of resentment, division and blame which is becoming more prevalent in sections of British society, contributing to an upsurge in racism and nationalism reflected by far right populist parties.
In many parts of the country, Reform has swept in to mop up the remnants of disorientated and directionless Conservatism, with many former Tories joining their ranks even as the mainstream media gives them unprecedented coverage in contrast to other minority groups.
But despite surprising results locally in last May’s county council elections, with Reform coming second in the divisions of St Albans East, North and South and St Stephen’s, beating the Conservatives in each, surely there’s no indication of right-wing extremism taking hold here in St Albans?
It would be naïve to assume it couldn’t happen here.
The backlash of social media comments condemning MP Daisy Cooper after her House of Commons condemnation of Elon Musk’s support for Tommy Robinson, the English flags seen adorning lamp-posts and painted on roundabouts across the district, and even the vandalism of Bricket Wood’s menorah ahead of last December’s Chanukah – all signs of an undercurrent of extremism bubbling beneath the surface – but is it strong enough to seize power?
In a bid to identify the potential causes behind a rise in the right, how the impact of this sea change can be mitigated, and whether it should be a cause for concern, we contacted community leaders, politicians and other local figureheads to determine whether far right politics have already taken hold in the district.
But the political group you would most expect to have a say on any perceived upswing in far right support refused to comment.
We asked Eleanor Jackson, chair of St Albans Reform Party, whether she thought there had been a rise in far right politics in the district, why people might be attracted to these politics, what can be done to prevent any negative impact on certain sections of the community, and if she considered Reform to be a major threat to mainstream politics locally?
She declined to respond to any of these questions, leaving us in the dark about Reform’s local strategy and even what she might think about the resignations and suspensions of 36 of their councillors and two MPs across the UK.
Rev Peter Crumpler, associate minister at St Paul’s Church in Fleetville, is a long-term advocate of open dialogues and discussions to deflect any divisions within society.
“My concern is more about a situation developing where everyone digs themselves into silos. Somehow, we need to keep conversations going, so there is a middle ground where ideas can be talked through,” he said.
“Otherwise, we shut down debate and see the ‘other side’ as the enemy, with nothing sensible to say and all their views and ideas to be dismissed. We need to be able to keep seeing ‘the other’ as people to be respected and listened to.
“Social media algorithms and shouty politics work to divide us. A knowledge and awareness of our shared humanity can help us stay together, working together for the good of all.”
St Albans MP Daisy Cooper suggested the cause could be an underlying frustration for a lack of any real change in the aftermath of 14 years of Conservative Government.
She said: “People are understandably impatient for the change they were promised. They want to see improvements in their lives and in their communities. And they want to know that those who are elected to represent them are listening and on their side.
“But whilst the Labour Government is embarking on some of the longer-term reforms the country needs, it’s still failing to deliver tangible real change that people can feel, here and now.
“Whether it’s getting NHS waiting lists down, sorting out the SEND crisis or tackling the cost of living and the cost of doing business, a decent Government needs to be able to pat its head and rub its tummy at the same time – delivering short term and long-term improvements in tandem.
“I’m continuing to fight for St Albans in Parliament: to make the Government rethink their flawed tax hikes hitting high street businesses, address the NHS and care crisis, and support our plans to halve energy bills over the next decade.
“We Liberal Democrats will continue working hard to deliver change locally, and we’ll keep pressing the Government to deliver it nationally too.”
Simon Grover, leader of the Greens and Independent group on SADC, said while there had been some far-right candidates and parties gaining a little more attention at recent elections, he felt it was a flicker not a surge, and on the whole St Albans remains an open, welcoming place.
“People here care about fairness, not division. Most of what we’re seeing is online – people echoing national talking points, often driven by fear or frustration. On the ground, St Albans communities still come together. This is a welcoming place – strongly Remain and increasingly diverse.
“Local groups are focused on helping neighbours, improving green spaces and supporting families. That’s where most people’s energy still goes.”
Cllr Emma Turnbull, Labour Group leader on St Albans district council, echoed his sentiments: “At both local and national levels, we’re seeing a rise in support for far-right and far-left political parties.
“At either extreme, these groups seek to divide society and offer simplistic answers to complex problems. I’m proud that here in St Albans our community remains open and fair-minded, but we can’t be complacent.”
Former Conservative group leader at SADC, Mary Maynard, has been keeping a close eye on whether there has actually been any sort of upsurge in far right politics locally, rather than a general disillusionment with mainstream politics and discontent with social inequality.
“If you define ‘far-right politics’ as ultraconservatism, authoritarianism, ultranationalism, radical anti-communism, ethnonationalism and nativism, then there is no evidence that any of this exists,” she explained.
“There is however a surge in concern amongst a wide range of people about economic decline; cost of living increases; mass, uncontrolled migration of millions of people putting pressure on jobs, homes and the NHS; increased sectarianism and racism; lack of jobs and educational opportunities; increased crime; a two-tier political, judiciary and policing system; benefit abuse and poor public service delivery.
“This is fuelling major shifts in political allegiances and the rise of populism. People are becoming concerned about the impact of economic and rapid social changes on their families and communities and the failure of mainstream parties to address their concerns.
“They are turning to minority parties (Reform, the Greens and Muslim sectarian candidates) who represent a protest vote and a chance for change.
“There are increasing numbers of people who perceive ‘the system’ to be unfair and discriminatory. Young people who can’t find jobs or afford homes and who struggle with depressed incomes and rising inflation.
“The traditional white working class, who feel nobody represents them, and who are called ‘far-right’ and ‘racist’ if they protest about lack of jobs; their kids’ poor educational opportunities, the imposition of undocumented, foreign males in their neighbourhoods; or the trafficking of girls in their communities.
“Free speech and two-tier justice campaigners concerned that a mother spent two and a half years in prison, with no reduction in sentence, merely for a social media tweet, when a migrant who sexually harassed and attacked a young girl was imprisoned for 12 months and released after five.
“Protesters on the left, concerned about the Government criminalising organisations they believe advocate for justice, and prepared to fight for causes they think are just e.g. anti-poverty and anti-racism.”
The appeal of far right politics to particular sections of society is something which cannot be ignored, but why is this becoming increasingly prevalent?
Harpenden MP Victoria Collins laid the blame firmly at the feet of the previous Government: “Far-right politics is on the rise, fuelled by frustration after 15 years of government failure. But the empty promises of the far-right won’t fix the NHS, cut bills, or help families through the cost of living crisis.
“The Liberal Democrats offer something better, fairness, respect, and real solutions. We’re improving local health and social care, backing small businesses, and making sure every child gets the support they deserve.
“People don’t want noise or blame, they want real change, real growth and real action that makes life better.”
Cllr Grover said it’s because people feel ignored and left behind: “When politicians don’t listen, people turn to whoever says they do. Some are scared about the economy, immigration or war, and fear makes people vulnerable to simple answers – even bad ones. Unfortunately Reform have no meaningful answers to any of this. They play on division and fear, instead of unity and hope.”
His comments were backed up by Cllr Turnbull: “Many people turn to these extremes because they feel ignored by those in power. Trust in politicians has been eroded — not just by scandals like the MPs’ expenses affair or the Covid ‘VIP lane’, but also by the everyday sense that governments and councils are not really listening.
“We saw that frustration this summer when St George’s cross flags and Union Flags appeared on lamp posts across the county. For most residents, this was an expression of pride, not prejudice. They were upset to hear politicians describe it as ‘vandalism’.
“When leaders dismiss people’s feelings instead of engaging with them, it deepens the sense that politics is out of touch – and that’s when extremist voices can find an audience.
“Here in St Albans, residents also feel unheard on issues such as parking charges or failures in the special educational needs system. These problems don’t cause extremism by themselves, but they do create the frustration in which it can grow.”
Mary Maynard agreed that people who feel they are not listened to, disenfranchised and discriminated against will inevitably be attracted to extreme, populist organisations whether they are on the right or the left.
“There have been legitimate concerns about the rapid growth, in the last 10 years, of groups of people from different cultures who do not integrate, or necessarily accept British social mores or culture. These concerns have been ignored and anyone expressing them labelled racist.
“This concern is being turbo-charged by the reaction of the traditional political elite (from all parties) to any attempt at discussion, which is to either ignore, despise, threaten or imprison.
“The protests about migration, are fuelling counter protests amongst left-wing groups, who view the concerns as racist, and fear in minority ‘communities’ (Muslim and Jewish) who feel beleaguered.
“Economic factors, which mean we are all likely to be poorer, will further drive people to extreme politics, as different groups will inevitably feel they are not being helped enough by the Government, are in competition for scarce resources or are being unfairly taxed for the benefit of the ‘undeserving’. The social contract is already beginning to break down, and people are seeking a different political model.”
So does she think we might see a switch in the political balance of power locally to reflect this groundswell of discontent?
“St Albans and district is a predominantly (white c84%), middle class, affluent area. It is a ‘white flight’ town, with many incomers historically coming here to ‘escape’ London, live in a more pleasant area, with good schools, access to a range of shops and leisure opportunities, good commuting and transport links and with low crime and civic unrest.
“It has low levels of diversity, with small white working class communities in well-defined traditional areas, and well established Pakistani/Bangladeshi communities in others. There is a growing Muslim community, a small Jewish community and a wide variety of thriving Christian communities.
“It has historically been Labour, then Conservative and is now Liberal Democrat at all levels of government. The Liberal Democrats initially grew due to their anti-Brexit support in a predominantly anti-Brexit community, but in the last few years captured the protest vote against an increasingly unpopular national Conservative Government.
“Their support has been bolstered by the ‘white flight’, affluent demographic from London.
“However, there are several local trends which are likely to make politics ‘interesting’.
“In St Albans city centre, a growing cadre of young people, who are renting, unable to buy, unhappy with the status quo are turning to the Greens.
“A growing proportion of elderly residents, who are often more conservative and change-averse in their views, who may move towards Reform.
“White working class communities, who feel their voices have not been heard and who will be attracted to the chance for change that the Greens on the left and Reform on the right could offer them.
“There could also be the growth of sectarian activity, with the Muslim community coalescing around sectarian political candidates and the growth of anti-semitism locally. Already, the Jewish community feels threatened by left-wing antipathy and Muslim sectarianism and have to take extreme security precautions at synagogues.”
What can be done to prevent any negative impact from extremist politics on certain sections of the community?
Mary Maynard offered a broad definition of which sections could be impacted, and said these include the white working class, the Muslim community and the Jewish community.
“All politicians need to start dialling down the rhetoric which pits different groups against each other. The Government needs to get control of our borders and our justice system, doing whatever it takes, as without this they will have zero credibility.
“Sectarian protest, or violence by any group to any other group, needs to be firmly controlled by an unbiased police and judiciary who treat every group exactly the same. No special cases or concerns about ‘community cohesion.’ Above all, we need economic growth without mass migration. If everyone has the prospect of a better life, a home and an adequately paid job, many issues will start to disappear.
Should Reform be seen as a major threat to mainstream politics locally given its performance in the county council elections?
Simon Grover isn’t convinced: “They’re loud, but they don’t offer solutions that stand up to scrutiny. People in St Albans tend to look for thoughtful, evidence-based ideas. If anything, their rise reminds us how important it is to keep politics honest, positive and rooted in community.
“The Greens have seen an incredible rise in our membership locally, even outpacing the national trend. And a lot of those new members are coming forward to help with our campaigns and election plans, partly to help take on the rise of Reform.”
Mary Maynard said Reform is a mainstream party who have every right to put up candidates and canvass support.
“They clearly already have support locally and depending on how the Labour Government acts, this could grow.
Of course, politics locally is dominated by the Liberal Democrat party, which is fundamentally an extreme left, protest party.
“Now, other protest parties exist, Reform (socially conservative and economically socialist) and the Greens (socially liberal and economically hard left). New, sectarian political parties and candidates could also emerge. This will inevitably impact voting patterns and is likely to threaten existing mainstream parties locally, particularly the Liberal Democrats.”
Should people be concerned or afraid about the rise of far right politics locally, and if so what should the mainstream parties be doing to mitigate the impact?
Cllr Grover said: “I’m concerned, yes – because hate and division hurt people. But afraid, no. St Albans has a strong sense of community and decency. The best defence against the far right is the way we live together – with respect, compassion and care.”
He thinks other parties can respond best by not copying the far-right rhetoric: “It is distressing to see Labour and the Conservatives both tacking to the right. When mainstream parties repeat far-right talking points, it normalises them. The answer is to show leadership – talk about fairness, social justice, the need to reform the tax system, and the future we can build together.
“Speak to hope, not fear.”
Cllr Turnbull said: “If we want to defeat extremist parties, we need politicians who genuinely listen, who respond to local concerns, and who show they’re on residents’ side.
“Rebuilding trust is the best way to close the space where division and extremism thrive.”
Mary Maynard said the best response was for local politicians to be honest about what and who they stand for, say clearly what they intend to do, then when they get power, do it.
But she isn’t afraid of the rise of political extremism: “I don’t see it as far right support, but as ordinary people who have legitimate concerns which have not been addressed.
“We have been focussing on ‘luxury’ elite beliefs for far too long in politics, which have become increasingly niche and divorced from the reality of most people’s lives. It’s time we all start to talk about what the real social and economic issues are and find out what the different political parties intend to do about them.
“How will we grow the economy? What size of state should we have and what should and shouldn’t it do? How do we make sure everyone lives with dignity, whilst ensuring those who can work do so? What level of control should the state have over people’s lives and their finances? What is a fair level of tax and benefit provision? How do we balance concerns about energy and water costs with our responsibilities to the environment? What sort of society do we want to have: an integrated society with one common British culture, or separate cultures operating independently?”
Soroptimist International St Albans represents a global women’s organisation with consultative status at the United Nations, where human rights – particularly those of women, girls and families – are fundamental to the projects they work on and the organisations they work with.
Although their non-political status means they cannot comment on particular parties, local communications officer Jane Slatter said they are extremely concerned about the erosion of what are meant to be ‘universal’ human rights in just about every country in the world.
“Women’s rights are going backwards. The implementation of human rights into national laws has been hard fought for, and some political parties want to strike them out. We believe a world without human rights laws protecting every adult and child would be dangerous for everyone.
“It is therefore vital that people stand together and take action to help others to understand what could be lost and ensure that human rights are preserved and prioritised by the political parties that they, as individuals support.”
