This past summer, we witnessed alarming violence and racist intimidation on our streets. Now, with Donald Trump’s re-elected, the global far-right is emboldened to further attack our already vulnerable communities.

This threat isn’t going away - it’s targeting the foundations of our democracy.

The government needs to develop a coherent response that tackles the root causes of the far right .

Our current political system enables inequality, fuels distrust, and leaves too many people feeling powerless. When people feel unheard, alienated, or neglected by the political system, it creates fertile ground for extremism to take root. We need an overhaul of how power operates and how well we can all feel a sense of agency over our lives and places.

Hope Not Hate’s latest report, Fear & Hope 2024: The Case for Community Resilience, shows a clear plan of action: we need to invest in a programme of building community resilience to block the influence of the far-right. We are calling for the appointment of a Community Resilience Czar to lead a coordinated, cross-government strategy to strengthen our communities and safeguard our democracy.

This isn’t just about policies; it’s about creating a system that people trust and feel part of. To rebuild resilience against the far-right, we need bold reforms to revitalise participation, empower local communities, and hold leaders accountable. This includes:

1. Meaningful democratic reforms that increase voter participation in elections everywhere.
2. Effective devolution to empower local voices and give communities control.
3. ​Institutionalising deliberative democracy in national, regional, and local government to engage citizens in the decisions that impact their lives.
4. Restoring standards and trust in public life by holding leaders to the highest level of accountability.
5. Funding local government effectively, so it can be the cornerstone of community resilience.
We are united – as individuals and organisations who want to protect our communities and democracy – in our call for a Community Resilience Czar to drive these reforms and strengthen our political system.

The threat of the far right is real, and so must be the Government's response.

Signed by:

Daniel Harris, Managing Director DHA Communications

Caroline Lucas MP Brighton Pavilion 2010-2024, Former Leader and Co-Leader, Green Party of England and Wales

James Robertson, Campaign Director, Sortition Foundation

Manda Scott, author and podcaster at Accidental Gods

Shelagh Wright, co-chair Compass

Tom Schuller, Chair, Prisoner Learning Alliance

Nadia Whittome, MP Nottingham East

Tom Brake, Director, Unlock Democracy

Andy O’Brien, Co-Founder, Bristol Energy Cooperative

Isky Gordon, Network for Social Change

Roz Savage MP South Cotswold, MBE

Carla Denyer, MP Bristol Central, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales

Compassion in Politics

Jon Alexander, author, Citizens

Sian Berry MP Brighton Pavilion

Ellie Chowns MP North Herefordshire

Adrian Ramsay MP Waveney Valley, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales

Chris Bettles, Director & Co-Founder, If Not Now

Paul Inskip, Outreach, Independent Constitutionalists UK & Stand Up Racism South

Oli Whittington, Our House