The recent, local history of political activism has a strange story to tell. It’s not about paedophilia (no right wing activist I’ve met is a pervert). There’s no simpleton involved (most can read academic texts). No one really gives a toss about becoming a Prime Minister here (they all hate the office, anyway).
The ins and outs is more like a drama written by Home Office staff than anything out of Ireland during the troubles.
I’ve spoken to social workers that have a lot to say about it. They usually have to pick up the pieces of activism long after people have lost interest in it. I can’t read their notes but it shows on their faces. The truth is telling, here.
On approach
Speaking to people that are doing it is a difficult work. I’ve received training from professionals, but the fact of it is a wrench all the same. The subject matter is far from the mainstream than any have reported. The thoughts and feelings are mixed up in awkward ways.
Tommy Robinson, in his demeanour, is a clear example of what it means to be a right wing agitator.
Doctors agree with me that none of them will ever make it into politics here just as they are. They simply don’t want to do it. The responses to investigations that’ve been successful reveal a preoccupation with local areas, not politics.
Robinson talks about Luton as often as he refers to London. His hometown (as he puts it) is as meaningful as the centre of all political disagreement itself. It speaks to him more of who we really are than what we say.
Not mental health
The rough and ready look they have is a genuine raffishness that comes out of their mentality.
They also don’t claim to be able to fix things. This is something they know politicians say is possible but their sympathies are on the side of journalism. The mute response of editors or the carefree inquiries of broadcast presenters puts them off believing in society.
The run ins with newspapers has jettisoned Robinson into the limelight just as it’s supposed to.
The response is the effect that’s desired for the hardcore men and women of the people that come out of our communities to challenge the times. It fits a public dissatisfaction with the way things are, and fulfils a need to rage that’s reflected by ordinary people in pubs up and down the country.
Their corner
The reason is to pack a punch harder than many feel capable of or few are willing to give. This drives online media content and sustains an offline interest that draws crowds out into the open.
While Reform UK has no alignment with such priorities, the prior activity of some of its figureheads has infrequently looked familiar. The basis is a tradition, though, and anti-racism groups have come out in strength and number to push back against it again.
The point is that a corner is taken up and as many as are willing to join it can enter the fray.
It’s a far cry from the pointed moments in Westminster when laws are passed. Even if researchers believe some of our cultural ‘ways’ come from its existence, there’s no laid down law regarding what results out of it. The effect is never orderliness but just chaos and intrusion of division.
