Dear John,

Welcome to this week's edition of Weekend Wire! In a rather bleak week filled with talk of extremism and racism, I will try my darndest to make this edition an entertaining read. So strap in, and let's begin.

3p(arty) Lee

The week started off with a dramatic bang as previous darling of the Tory Party and ex-Deputy Chair of the Conservatives Lee Anderson (say his name three times into a mirror and 30p will appear in your pocket), held a flashy news conference to announce his defection to Reform. 

The move sees Anderson change the colour of his rosette for the third time in six years, in a move that surprised few in Westminster. Indeed, there have been rumblings of the defection for weeks, especially after his alleged meeting with Reform leader Richard Tice at the very ‘glamorous’ political meeting point known as the ‘Holiday Inn’ located at Junction 28 on the M1. 

The ‘grand unveiling’ was a strange one. A quite grumpy Lee Anderson snapped at several reporters while being blocked from the view of the cameras by a poorly-placed Union flag. Despite the comedy, Anderson's departure is undoubtedly a blow to the Conservatives. The loss of one of their figurehead ‘2019ers’ showcases the peril that Sunak faces in keeping together his increasingly fragmented party. The defection gives Reform UK their first ever MP in Parliament, in a move that Tice declared as “just the beginning” for his party. 

Rumours swirl around Westminster that up to 10 Tory MPs are in conversation with Reform about switching parties. Time will tell what impact Reform and Anderson might have at the upcoming election - whenever Sunak has the guts to call it! Speaking of which…

Mayday Election postponed

‘To call or not to call an election?’ seemed to be the question on everyone's lips in Westminster this week.

With the deadline for Parliament to be dissolved in time for a more traditional May election fast approaching, the Government remains evasive about any sort of timeline. On Thursday evening however, in an interview with ITV West Country, we got our first nugget of information from Sunak who confirmed that there would not be a general election at the same time as the local elections on the 2nd of May. There are now reports suggesting the 10th October instead…

The PM’s inability to hold an election at what would be a very appropriate (and cost-effective) date seems to suggest that Sunak's content to kick things into the long grass. Giving Labour the gift of multiple funny chicken memes on their social media. 

Come what may (well possibly not May), whenever Sunak has the backbone to call it, we here at Best for Britain are prepared with our tactical voting campaign GetVoting ready to launch, to give voters across the country the information they need to make sure their vote counts. If you haven't already, click the link to sign up to get alerts.

Hateful Hester and rollover Rishi

Cast your mind back to the start of March when Sunak delivered a statement outside Downing Street admonishing the rising levels of extremism in our country, and vowing that it had no place in our society. 

Not even two weeks later, the PM has already found himself caught up in yet another racism row within his own party. This comes less than a month after he failed to call out Lee Anderson’s comments about Mayor Sadiq Khan as Islamaphobic.

This week, the Tories' biggest donor Frank Hester was in the spotlight, after alleged remarks that Diane Abbott makes him “want to hate all black women” and that she “should be shot” were brought to light by a Guardian investigation. 

While at PMQs on Wednesday Sunak copped to the fact that these remarks were racist (despite ministers being briefed to not call the comments racist just 24 hours before), the Tory Party line remains that his apology ‘for being rude’ is enough and should be the end of the matter. Why the PM is so forgiving of Hester’s comments remains a mystery, but I for one am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that he's the Conservative Party’s biggest donor, having given £10 million in the past year alone… 

Opposition parties, including Labour leader Keir Starmer, were quick to call out Sunak’s inaction. A stance made all the more laughable because this week was meant to be the big launch of the Government's new anti-extremism policy. But hey - everything has a price, and maybe if you’ve got £10 million to spare you're exempt from these rules.

However, there is a serious point to make in all of this. Hateful and violent rhetoric is sadly all too common in our political system. Like or loathe Diane Abbott’s politics, as the first Black MP elected to Parliament, she is undoubtedly a trailblazer, and one who has suffered decades of abuse. It is deeply shocking that in 2024 these disgusting comments are still being made, but even more so that those in power seem to believe a half-apology is good enough.

Anti-Extremism Bill

In what was meant to be the big news coming out of Whitehall this week, Michael Gove unveiled a new definition of extremism. The changes are meant to give greater clarity to the term and highlight certain groups that will be blocked from government funding and meeting officials. The new definition of extremism has been described as "narrower and more precise" and will help "clearly articulate" how extremism is "evidenced" in behaviours. 

But the change has come with considerable backlash from civil liberties groups and MPs on both sides of the chamber. The Government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall, has warned the new policy "could undermine the UK's reputation because it would not be seen as democratic". Zara Mohammed, the head of the Muslim Council of Britain, has also said the definition would lead to the "unfair targeting of Muslim communities".

Of course, any dangerous political views should rightly be challenged. We certainly wouldn’t bemoan any government for trying to keep our country safe. But you can never trust this government, or take them at face value. We’ve already seen draconian legislation in the Elections Act, as well as the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act. 

So we're ready to hold them to account - and are already doing so. Naomi was on BBC Politics Live earlier this week to challenge the Government around this, appearing alongside former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng - who actually (whisper it) agreed when she said the Tories should give back Frank Hester's £10 million, or donate it to an anti-racism charity. Chances of them doing so? Unless the chicken memes get to him, about as slim as Sunak changing his mind about that 2nd May election.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Until next time,

Ben Stead Lewis
External Affairs Officer
Best for Britain