I got this message from the pro-democracy organisation a few days ago. It’s a response to the assertions of Elon Musk, Reform and their allies that London is dangerous. It’s a good argument, but unfortunately the right have been able to use self-contradictory articles from the Guardian to disprove this. One of these had a headline stating that the writer still felt safe in London despite having been mugged three times. The article also requests donations, like many other messages from activist organisations. I really can’t afford to give anything, but I’m putting it up in case you fee like doing so. Unfortunately, the button for a one-off donation doesn’t seem to be working. I hope the button for ‘Support Our Work’ does include this option, but don’t feel pressurised into giving money to them.
‘Dear David,
Nigel Farage, Tommy Robinson, even Donald Trump. They all want you to be afraid of London.
They don’t care about our capital city or our country. They’re painting it as a crime cesspit full of “no-go zones” because it suits their personal agendas.
They’re spreading fear and panic because it fuels the far-right’s story that Britain is broken, that decline is inevitable, and only they can save it.
It’s not patriotism. It’s grifting, plain and simple.
London is the perfect target because it’s the antithesis of their politics. Diverse, open, successful, globally influential. Living proof that the far-right’s worldview is a lie.
Last year, London recorded just 97 homicides, a record-low rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people. Lower than Paris, New York and Berlin.
So why do they keep pushing this lie? Because it scares us, and that fear is useful.
If we’re busy blaming each other, we stop looking up at who’s really benefiting. We stop noticing what’s happened to this country in plain sight.
While people fought for their lives, lost loved ones, and made enormous sacrifices during the Covid pandemic, wealth at the very top surged. Since 2020, the richest 1% have taken nearly twice as much new wealth as the other 99% combined. In the UK, the richest 1% hold more wealth than 70% of the population put together.
We’re too busy living in fear of foreign criminals and a crimewave that doesn’t exist to ask why the super-rich are funding Farage’s efforts to game a broken electoral system to secure power
This week, London’s police chief described the city as “extraordinarily safe”, after murder fell to its lowest level on record. At the very same time, Nigel Farage claimed London is being “gripped by a foreign gang crimewave”.
Fear is a distraction and immigration is a scapegoat, but while people are pushed to look at each other, those at the top keep winning.
The tactic is to keep people angry, scared, and fighting each other. Our failing democracy rewards it.
Farage, the far-right, and their wealthy backers thrive when the country is divided, while the rest of us pay the price.
If we don’t fix our politics, we will lose. And the consequences will be dire and lasting.
That’s why Open Britain is fighting for:
- An end to the pollution of dark money and vested interests in our politics.
- A proportional voting system that translates the will of the people into real power in the Commons.
- Action to stop disinformation poisoning our democracy, and having people cast votes based on lies.
If you recognise the threat, please support our work today.
A monthly donation is the single most powerful thing you can do. It funds year-round campaigning and gives us the stability to take on this machine properly.
If monthly isn’t possible, a one-off donation still makes a huge difference and helps fund crucial short-term wins.
DONATE ONE-TIME
With your support, we’re fighting back, meeting fear and division with facts and determination.
All the best,
Conor
Conor McKenzie
Digital Engagement Manager, Open Britain
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