From Trump to Badenoch, the far-right is on the rise

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Hi everyone,

I'm coming to you a bit later than normal this week after a very eventful few days – thanks for your patience.

Donald Trump has been elected as the new US president for the second time, beating Kamala Harris. The 45th and now 47th president took to the stage with his family and running mate JD Vance earlier today to promise a "golden age for America".

As world leaders rush to congratulate Trump, Kamala elected not to appear at Howard University in Washington DC, where a watch party had been planned in anticipation of victory but which ultimately ended in tears with supporters leaving early. Meanwhile, a 'No To Trump' protest is due to take place outside of the US embassy in London tonight.

Here in the UK, Conservative Party members chose Kemi Badenoch as their new leader at the weekend. It comes after the party suffered their worst-ever election defeat in July, ending 14 years in government.

Both of these political choices signal the continued mainstreaming of far-right ideology — a trend that raises widespread concern, as I'll discuss further later in this newsletter.

Naturally, the election results have left many unsettled. Far-right movements are often associated with nationalism and violence against minoritised groups, amplifying worries about what lies ahead.

Also in the news this week:

Written by Nadine White

Kemi Badenoch, Donald Trump 

Behind the headlines

Republican Donald Trump has been declared the victor in the US presidential election.

For those who may not know, Trump is a twice-impeached, convicted felon with a long history of racism and Islamophobia. He currently faces multiple pending criminal cases.

Trump's return to power, despite his divisive and often inflammatory rhetoric, has demonstrably emboldened the far-right in the US and beyond over the years. Racist and Islamophobic attitudes are particularly prevalent among Trump's supporters.

A few days ago, Kemi Badenoch was elected as the new Conservative Party leader by its members, in what has been described as the party's "lurch to the far right."

With a history of downplaying the extent of racism in Britain and criticising marginalised groups, it's worth noting that Ms Badenoch led a widely discredited government report on race, which the United Nations described as an "attempt to normalise white supremacy."

Despite being the first Black woman to lead a major European political party, many within Black communities across Britain do not celebrate her victory; instead, they are concerned about what her leadership may mean for civil liberties, particularly if she becomes prime minister in the next election.

Badenoch has generally voted against legislation promoting equality, and former colleagues have accused her of "bullying and traumatising" them.

One of her first moves as Conservative Party leader was to appoint Mark Francois, who previously used a racial slur, as shadow defence minister.

As the world witnesses the growing popularity of far-right groups in Britain, like Reform UK and Patriotic Alternative, fascist political parties are also rising to prominence across Europe in countries such as France, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands.

The controversial victories of Badenoch and Trump come amid soaring hate crimes, particularly race-related and religious attacks, across the US and Europe.

Only time will tell what these appointments mean for the electorate.

Nadine's must reads

British people's teeth are a worldwide joke – and we've only got ourselves to blame

By Lydia Spencer-Elliott

Slavery reparations need to be about future, not just cash, says Lammy

By Rob Freeman

Sikh Labour MP says she faces racist abuse almost every day

By Pol Allingham

Are you surprised that Trump won the US presidential election?

Donald Trump has won a historic second term in the White House after sweeping four of the key battleground states hours after the polls closed on Election Day.

Kamala Harris is yet to comment on her crushing defeat as Trump secured the magic number of 270 Electoral College votes.

Olive Morris honoured in Brixton

Olive Elaine Morris was a Jamaican-born British-based community leader and activist in the feminist, black nationalist, and squatters' rights campaigns of the 1970s

Activist Olive Morris was honoured with a blue plaque in Brixton last week.

Born in Jamaica, Olive moved to Britain at the age of 9 and dedicated her life to speaking out on behalf of oppressed people before she died in 1972, aged just 27.

English Heritage's plaque was unveiled at 121 Railton Road where Olive hosted Black women's study groups and lived as a squatter in the 1970s.

Olive was a pivotal figure in the Brixton-based British Black Panther movement, going on to co-found the Brixton Black Women's Group and the Organisation of Women of African and Asian Descent in 1978.

Nick Merriman, English Heritage's Chief Executive, said: "Olive Morris was a remarkable person.

"There are more than 1,000 blue plaques across the capital but this plaque is a special one, celebrating the life of a young, Black woman who defended the oppressed and the exploited, often in the face of brutality and racism. 

"Our plaque remembers an inspiring figure from the past and her fight against injustice not only in Brixton but across London, in Britain and beyond."

Don't forget to complete your registration

We've noticed that you still have not completed your registration to The Independent. Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism. It allows us to better understand our readers and tailor your experience.

By registering, you'll also gain access to a range of exclusive benefits, including:

Unlock these benefits by completing your registration today. 

MORE FROM NADINE

I'm attending the funeral of Windrush pioneer Alford Gardner in Leeds today. He was one of the last surviving passengers of the 1948 Empire Windrush ship that arrived in the UK from the Caribbean

Approximately 51% of Race Report readers disagree with the new Labour government's plans to axe the Winter Fuel Payment for millions of elderly people

Got a story or simply want to share your thoughts on anything in this email? Email me at nadine.white@independent.co.uk or follow me on Twitter/X and Instagram: @Nadine_Writes

The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Join the conversation or follow us

Download the free Independent app

Please do not reply directly to this email

You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Race Report newsletter.

To unsubscribe from The Independent's Race Report newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.

This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345

Read our privacy policy and cookie policy