The Bunker – News without the nonsense Will Farage's crime fear campaign decide the next election?
Aug 7, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Zoë Grünewald, Westminster editor at The Lead and a frequent contributor, tackles Nigel Farage's alarming claims about crime in Britain. She explores the chasm between political rhetoric and reality, shedding light on how fear is manipulated for electoral gain. The conversation dives into the misuse of statistics, the flawed connection between immigration and crime, and critiques right-wing family narratives. Additionally, they discuss the implications of controversial crime policies and the media's role in shaping public perceptions as elections loom.
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London as a Political Scapegoat
- London is often scapegoated as lawless and overly liberal for populist identity politics.
- However, crime rates there aren't uniquely high compared to other major UK cities, sometimes they are lower.
Skewed Crime Perceptions
- People fear crime nationally but see less danger locally, skewing perceptions.
- Polls mainly capture visible crimes and often miss invisible or white-collar crime, limiting full understanding.
Lived Experience Weaponized Politically
- The right co-opts the left's emphasis on lived experience to silence criticism.
- This double standard complicates challenging fear-based narratives on crime and immigration.