Does anyone else have half an eye on the news and half an eye on the streets – worried about where the next far-right-provoked protest might flare up?
Last summer’s riots were a stark reminder of how quickly fear and division can turn to violence. The risk that we may be facing another run of them feels both real and urgent. For us civil society communicators, this isn't an abstract risk. Riots, protests and the coordinated online hate amplified by disinformation and political opportunism affect our staff, our communities and our volunteers.
Here at Agenda, we’ve been thinking a lot about how we plan for this so that we can keep the people we serve, and the ideals we fight for, safe. In particular, how do we counter harmful narratives without inflaming them? How can we share more love to overcome the hate?
In early June, some 50 charity and trade union communicators gathered at our Changing hearts and minds event to reflect on these questions and more. We wanted to explore how to respond to the rise of the far-right and the threats it poses to democracy, equality and justice.
We’ve uploaded resources and insights from the event on our website so please take a look in case they may help your own work. I also want to share a few of the key messages I took from the event in case they inspire some ideas for you.
Fear is powerful and contagious
People often lash out when they’re afraid. The far-right knows this. They feed fear, amplify it, and then offer people who feel unheard a clear message: we see you, we hear you, your anger makes sense to us. That’s how they create a sense of safety, identity and belonging.
So we need to listen too
Not superficially. Not just to prepare our rebuttal or to label someone as a racist or stupid. But intentionally, with curiosity and care. Change demands understanding. Building a strong community requires compassionate dialogue. And it all starts with a willingness to understand what people are worried about, and how they came to hold the views they do.
Understanding your audience isn’t optional; it’s essential
This is a Comms 101 but it’s worth a reminder. We talked a lot about audience at Changing hearts and minds. We learnt about the different views and motivations of Reform UK voters. We discussed how to tap into the identities and moral codes of older white men. We considered the physical and mental responses humans make to new information, particularly that we consider a threat.
The people protesting outside migrant hotels or expressing support for far-right parties are not a monolith. Some are deliberately trying to stoke tensions and divide communities. But others are simply anxious about paying their bills, keeping their families safe, or are fearful of cultures they don’t understand. Many feel ignored by mainstream politics and that this is how to get their voices heard. If we write them all off as racists, we miss the opportunity to engage, persuade and prevent that fear from turning into hate.
Stories help people see themselves – and each other – differently
Our speakers and audience offered many excellent examples about how powerful it can be when people share stories, particularly those that are at the centre of their identities and belief systems, such as family histories of migration, military service or community struggle. Story connects cultures, humanises 'the other’ and creates room for empathy and pride in unexpected places. We need to do as much as we can to share proactive, positive narratives that build a shared and inclusive sense of identity.
Sometimes peace starts with a sandwich
A powerful story came from Faryal Iqbal who told us about her mosque and how the leaders responded to a far-right protest outside their doors not with shouting or silence – but with burgers and chips. They listened. They fed people. And slowly, something shifted. A conversation began. The temperature came down. Shared values were discovered.
So, as we prepare for what may be another summer of tension, the team at Agenda is looking to:
* Tell more positive human stories
* Take more time to really, deeply understand people and what is driving them
* Listen – and demonstrate how we’ve heard what’s being said
* Drink lots of tea with our neighbours
We’re not powerless in the face of anger and aggression. But we do have to be intentional – about how we speak, who we speak to and how we make people feel. If you’d like to have a chat about how you’re responding to similar issues, we’d love to hear from you. The kettle is already on.
There’s a load of free tools and case studies available on our website, including details from some of the speakers at Changing hearts and minds. You can access them here. And we have a crisis comms workshop coming up in September where we’ll be looking at how to mitigate risks.
