Hi John, this is shocking:

According to our latest findings, 61% of people think tension is rising between different racial, ethnic and religious groups in the UK. It’s clear that community resilience is at a low point after 14 years of austerity.

But this gives me hope: 72% of people want the government to improve cohesion in our communities. The majority have spoken John: let’s email our MPs and put countering the far right’s division high on the political agenda.

In our latest Fear and HOPE report, we’ve examined how building resilience to the far right in communities goes beyond just promoting social cohesion.

When families are hit hard by financial difficulties, feelings of hopelessness and frustration are more likely to be pinned on people of a different ethnicity or religion.

These bubbling rifts were exposed in the racist riots of the summer, and in Reform UK’s unprecedented gains at the general election.

Tackling economic deprivation, repairing relationships with democracy, and ending damaging political rhetoric are critical to countering the far right. And unless the government acts now, we’ll see more opportunistic, extremist groups sow hatred and division for their own gain.

John, tell your MP to act – send them our five step plan to building resilience to the far right:

With tensions rising and violence already threatening our communities, MPs need to understand this work can’t wait.

Thank you for standing with us,

Georgie

Campaigns and Communications Director at HOPE not hate