| Is Far-Right rhetoric becoming the new norm? 14:58 - Feb 2 with 353 views | BlacknGoldnBlue |
There was a time, not so long ago, when certain political sentiments were confined to the dark corners of the internet or the fringes of a rowdy pub. But today, you do not have to look far to find them. They are in our social media feeds, our family group chats, and increasingly, in the speeches of mainstream politicians. This leads us to a pressing question: Are we witnessing a permanent rightward tilt in our daily lives, or is the "centre" simply being dragged along by a louder, more emboldened fringe?
The "Mainstreaming" Effect
Political scientists call it discursive mainstreaming—the process by which ideas once considered radical or taboo slowly become part of everyday conversation. What was once "extremism" is now often rebranded as "common sense" or "patriotism."
Research suggests that this shift isn't just a figment of our imagination. Far-right actors have successfully moved from the margins to become agenda setters. By focusing relentlessly on migration, national identity, and "anti-woke" rhetoric, they force mainstream parties to respond on their terms.
The Tommy Robinson Factor: A Catalyst for Emboldenment?
In the UK, the figure of Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) serves as a lightning rod for this movement. His ability to mobilise tens of thousands signals a shift in confidence for the far right.
* The Power of Platforming: Despite various bans, Robinson’s reach on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) has surged, fuelled by a "posting-to-policy" strategy where fringe narratives are amplified by algorithms until they feel like majority opinions.
* The Normalisation of Islamophobia: Observers note that decades of institutional and media-driven Islamophobia have provided the "kindling" for today’s fires. When high-profile figures weaponise "free speech" to target specific communities, it provides a veneer of legitimacy to underlying prejudices.
Are Moderates Being Dragged to the Right?
The most concerning aspect of this trend is the "contagious effect" on the political centre. When mainstream parties fear losing voters to more radical alternatives, they often adopt "lite" versions of far-right policies—tighter borders, harsher rhetoric on integration, and a scepticism of international institutions.
This creates an illusory effect:
* Exposure: People see the same radical viewpoints repeated so often that they begin to perceive them as more popular than they actually are.
* Validation: When a moderate politician echoes a far-right talking point, it validates that sentiment for the average person.
* Shifting Norms: Slowly, the "middle ground" moves. What felt like an extreme position five years ago now feels like a moderate compromise.
The Social Media Echo Chamber
We cannot ignore the role of tech. With the liberalisation of algorithms and the return of previously banned figures to major platforms, the "town hall" has become a megaphone for the strategic few. Studies show that a tiny percentage of users produce the vast majority of political content, creating a skewed reality that blurs our sense of what is actually "mainstream."
The question remains: is the rise of this rhetoric a genuine reflection of public will, or is it a manufactured "moral panic" designed to distract from economic and social failings? As we move further into 2026, the challenge for the moderate majority is to decide whether they will continue to be pulled by the tide, or whether they will begin to push back.
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| Is Far-Right rhetoric becoming the new norm? on 15:31 - Feb 2 with 271 views | J2BLUE |
I have said many times society is a pendulum. The natural position for society is in the centre. It swings one way and then swings the other way. The more groups try and hold it to one side the more it will swing back.
Some might think it's BS. That's fine. Give me your theories. I've been saying the above since Brexit. Society has changed a lot over the last 20 years or so. It might sound mad but the rate of 'progress' has been so rapid that I think some people want to turn the clock back. I am not suggesting it's a bad thing but society has become ultra sensitive, has embraced things like gender diversity and multiculturalism and with the rise of social media the loudest voices have tried to shut down any dissent towards ever greater liberalism.
After years and years of society being pushed one way I think there is going to be pushback. I had a charity bet with GB years ago that the next PM would be Rees-Mogg or Boris Johnson. The only thing I based it on was that neither we PC options and people would push back.
That's my thesis. People may not agree. Reform are not popular because of their policies (can anyone name one?). They are popular because they would halt and reverse the way society is going. Again, not suggesting this is good or bad, it's just my theory.
I have long believed that people go along with things in public that they don't necessarily agree with out of fear of upsetting the mob and then in the privacy of the voting booth they can give their true opinion.
I'm sure I will get some very real concerns replies. People who haven't learnt anything from Brexit, Trump, the Tories and Reform.
I truly believe the natural position of society as a whole is in the centre. Some will be on the left. Some will be on the right. Then there's a big chunk in the middle which decide elections and hold the balance of power. Try and force them too far one way and they will rebel. IMO that is the key to this whole thing. [Post edited 2 Feb 15:34]
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