The Bunker – News without the nonsense Arguing with a Reform voter? – Paul Mason has the ideas you need
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Aug 19, 2025 Paul Mason, a campaigning journalist and author of How to Stop Fascism, shares insights on countering far-right rhetoric. He discusses how to navigate conversations with Reform voters by distinguishing between those willing to engage and irredeemable extremists. Mason emphasizes the importance of respectful dialogue on immigration and highlights the risks of narrative-driven divides, particularly around claims of civil unrest. He advocates for collaboration among progressive parties to combat political extremism and restore public trust in governance.
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Radicalisation Is The Core Threat
- A rapid radicalisation of conservative-minded Britons toward fascism is the deeper problem behind Reform's polling rise.
- Paul Mason warns this process can suddenly produce violent actions and must be treated as the primary political threat.
From Online Rants To Real Violence
- Mason recounts an investigator's warning about radicalised groups moving from online threats to real violence.
- He contrasts petty provocations with the sudden escalation to actions like arson at migrant hotels.
Identity Collapse, Not Just Economics
- The crisis is less economic than a collapse of the 'neoliberal self' and collective identity in left-behind places.
- That identity breakdown makes people receptive to theories like Great Replacement and to rapid radicalisation.
