Members of several church denominations and associated groups met at an important conference on Saturday at Church House in Westminster. The agenda delved into the crucial topic of how hostile rhetoric and narratives tied to ‘race’ and religion have fuelled far-right-related activities over the last decade and a half (especially the riots in August 2024) and posed a serious threat to the unity of our communities.
Among the panellists were a diverse group of individuals, each bringing a unique perspective to the discussion. These included Dr Nadia Habashi, Director for criminology, justice and policing at the University of East London. The Rt Hon Lord Boateng, the first Black Briton to serve in a British Cabinet; Rev Dr Helen Paynter, Dr Maria Power; Rev Wale Hudson-Roberts, Dr Nicola Brady, Nusrit Mehtab, Simon Israel, Olusegun Gbede and Richard Reddie, the Director of Justice and Inclusion at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
Notable among them were those with Barbadian heritage: Lord Simon Woolley of Homerton College, Cambridge University, Bishop of Croydon the Rt Reverend Dr Rosemarie Mallet, Rev Guy Hewitt, the inaugural Director of Racial Justice in the Church of England, and Charles Crichlow, a senior Lecturer in the School of Law, Criminology, and Justice at the University of East London.
The workshops
• Race and Far Right Extremism by Charles Crichlow and Olusegun Gbede
• Religion and Far Right Extremism – A four Nations Church response by Dr Nicola Brady
• Rhetoric and the Media by: The challenges of free speech in a liberal Democracy by Simon Israel
• Policing and the summer riots of 2024 by Dr Nadia Habashi and Nusrit Mehtab
The views of various far-right groups include white supremacy, cultural nationalism, and the Identitarian Movement. Far-right groups and individuals disproportionately target ethnic minority and religious groups, LGBT+ groups, politicians, and public figures.
The discussion unfolded in several workshops, and Keynote speakers, such as Lord Boateng and Lord Simon Woolley, effectively presented their points on the urgency of our current situation and agreed that advocacy is the best way forward. They explored what solutions the Church and civil society organisations can offer to challenge this proclivity, emphasising the need for immediate action.
Moderator The Rt Revd Dr Rosemarie Mallett said,
“Racial and religious identities are often intertwined and negatively exploited in the rhetoric of far-right groups to shape their ideologies and narratives, stir up their supporters and foster division by reinforcing existing prejudices and societal tensions. Understanding the dynamics of this interplay is crucial for comprehending the broader implications of far-right ideologies on social cohesion and democratic values. This conference offers a valuable opportunity to do so by centring on kingdom values and the unifying source of faith, the values at the heart of the discussion”.
The relationship between race, religion, and politics in Britain, in particular, has always been complex, shaped by the nation’s colonial past, post-World War II immigration patterns, and changing social attitudes towards diversity. The rise of far-right politics, particularly in the post-1970s era, has often relied on divisive rhetoric that intersects with race, religion, and national identity.
The Rt Hon. The Lord Boateng CVO said,
“The rise of extremism, whether of the right or the left, is symptomatic of the failure of democratic politics to capture hearts and minds and the breakdown of trust within communities. The Church, operating in the public square, has a crucial role to play in addressing these dangerous times by countering in its teaching both extremism and vacuity in political dialogue and exemplifying, in all its works, the Kingdom values of peace, justice, inclusivity, and the integrity of creation
After World War 2, Britain saw large-scale migration from former colonies, particularly South Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa. This influx of immigrants led to the growth of multicultural urban communities, especially in English cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester, and even the remote county of Somerset.
The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of far-right groups like the National Front, which promoted ideas of racial purity and sought to restrict non-white immigration, particularly people of South Asian, African, and Caribbean descent.
Up to the present day, far-right rhetoric in Britain and Ireland is often underpinned by anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiments; far-right groups and individuals often cast non-white immigrants as a threat to British and Irish culture, security and economic stability.
The narrative of cultural replacement is common, where far-right commentators argue that immigrants – especially Muslims – are taking over these islands, leading to fears of an erosion of national identity,
Their rhetoric has contributed to significant political and social polarisation. Yet, there is a growing anti-racist movement pushing back against far-right narratives, often through grassroots activism, political engagement, and public protests.
Much of the far right’s influence today is used through online platforms, where leaders and groups can spread anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim content, often disguised as free speech, to increase the radicalisation of younger people and the rise of these communities on these shores, similar to trends in the USA.
The intersection of race, religion and far-right rhetoric in Britain in Britain and Ireland is deeply rooted in historical patterns of immigration, national identity and economic change. The far-right has successfully exploited these issues to focus on Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment to galvanise support for nationalist and exclusionary political positions.
The challenge for Britain and Ireland is still addressing the social divisions stoked by these ideologies while promoting tolerance and inclusivity in an increasingly diverse community.
While the Brexit vote itself was not explicitly about race or religion, far-right groups seized on the moment to promote Xenophobic rhetoric around EU migrants and refugees. One of the arguments put forward during the campaign was about protecting British values and limiting immigration.
In his event summary, Rev Guy Hewitt noted Lord Boateng’s words, emphasising the need for advocacy and keeping it on the agenda. Quoting Frederick Douglas, “Power concedes nothing without a demand; it never has or never will.”
