Fighting the far-right in wake of Jo Cox murder - The Yorkshire Post says

YORKSHIRE knows only too well where far-right radicalisation can lead. The horrific murder of the Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox was the most shocking possible illustration of its consequences.
Jo Cox, the Batley & Spen MP, was murdered in 2016.Jo Cox, the Batley & Spen MP, was murdered in 2016.
Jo Cox, the Batley & Spen MP, was murdered in 2016.

Combating such radicalisation is a never-ending challenge, yet it must be fought against in every area where it presents itself. Hatred breeds violence, tears communities apart and creates tensions in our towns and cities. Bigotry is masquerading as patriotism in the views being promoted.

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Fighting back is made all the more difficult by the insidious spread of poisonous views on the internet, as identified by advocacy group Hope Not Hate. YouTube and social networking sites are becoming preferred mediums for far-right groups seeking to recruit followers.

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Yet the presence of rallies on Yorkshire’s streets is still a great concern. The obvious worry is that the far-right will use its online presence to stoke those real-world gatherings.

By moving online, the far-right is setting out to give potential followers the means to self-radicalise. This is a particular threat to the young, who may be vulnerable or confused about their place in society, and consequently liable to be dragged into the dark world being promoted.

Policing social media is a problem for society as a whole, and the Government is pledged to overhaul how it is regulated. The growing presence of far-right propaganda online underlines just how necessary this is. Extremism of any form cannot be allowed a safe space on social media where it can grow and spread.

It is a matter of great concern that Hope Not Hate has identified two prominent YouTubers from Yorkshire as leading lights in this new upsurge of the far right. We do not want our county to become associated in any way with hatred. It is up to all of us to challenge it.