What smashed the far right in east London? A playbook that said connect, connect, connect | Margaret Hodge
In a recent reflection, Labour peer Margaret Hodge sheds light on the strategies employed by her party to confront the rise of the British National Party (BNP) in Barking ahead of the 2010 general election. Hodge emphasizes the urgency of addressing the current resurgence of far-right movements across Europe, particularly in the wake of the 2024 presidential election in the United States and the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House. Drawing parallels between the past and present, she argues that the lessons learned from their successful campaign against the BNP can inform contemporary efforts to combat extremism disguised as populism.
Hodge recalls how, in 2010, the BNP was gaining traction in Barking, leveraging local discontent and fears around immigration and social change. The Labour Party, recognizing the threat, mobilized a grassroots campaign that focused not just on political rhetoric but on community engagement. They worked to address the genuine concerns of residents while countering the divisive narratives pushed by the BNP. This included organizing community events, fostering dialogue, and promoting inclusivity, which ultimately helped to galvanize support and turn the tide against the far right. Hodge notes that in stark contrast to today, the political landscape in 2010 lacked the pervasive influence of social media, which now plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse and facilitating the spread of extremist ideologies.
As Hodge reflects on the current context, she acknowledges the complexities that have arisen since 2010, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing conflicts in Europe, and challenges to the established international order. Nevertheless, she remains optimistic that by revisiting the strategies that proved effective in Barking, political parties and communities can forge a united front against the far right. Hodge calls for renewed commitment to dialogue and understanding, urging leaders to engage with the electorate on their concerns while firmly rejecting the divisive tactics of populism. By learning from past victories, she believes there is still hope for countering the rise of extremism in today’s politically charged environment.
Labour peer Margaret Hodge shares how the party tackled the rise of the British National party in Barking before the 2010 general election
Once again, the far right is advancing across Europe, emboldened by the outcome of the 2024 presidential election and the return of Donald Trump to the White House. To turn back extremism masquerading as populism, I believe there are lessons we can learn from our battle against the extreme right in Barking in 2010, when
we crushed the BNP
.
The context is different. There was little social media before 2010; we hadn’t been through a pandemic; there was no major war in Europe and no serious challenge to a rules-based international order.
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