Not really, since centrist policies would be generally milder versions of the far-right policies, but parties have to appeal to the desires of the electorate otherwise, they would be voted out.
You’re operating under the naive conception that fascism can be reasoned or bargained with. No, it can’t. But you don’t need to take my word for it, just open any history book on what was Germany before the ascension of Hitler, or Italy before Mussolini began calling the shots.
The Nazi party gained control because the democratic Weimar Republic could not stop inflation. Also, Hitler was an excellent speaker. See https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OI7eqYx5Pqo
Prevent far-right parties getting into power by adopting far-right policies!
Let’s assume that that’s actually a moral thing to do - ask Kier Starmer what adopting exactly that strategy has done for the popularity of his party and the far-right party Reform
Immigration is Reform’s one issue, and also what I’ve unfailingly see Reform voters cite as their only reason for voting
Starmer has been pushing immigration as an issue and modelled the party’s policy after Reform. He even gave a speech in which he invoked the most famous anti-immigration speech in British political history. Insiders have said explicitly that the strategy was to court right-wing voters in exactly the manner that you’re suggesting
2 years ago Labour won the general election with 33.7% of the vote. 2 weeks ago they got 20% of the vote in the local elections
2 years ago Reform got 14.5% of the vote. 2 weeks ago they got 31%
This is a party who have explicitly tried the approach that you’re suggesting and it hasn’t had the effect that you think it should. Instead it has lost Labour the support of core voters and given support to Reform by legitimising and reinforcing their platform
This real-world example is the opposite of what you’re claiming would happen
And it should be obvious - “the far-right are right about immigration, therefore you should vote for us instead” is never going to be a sensible message
This is less about the specifics (which you are misrepresenting and oversimplifying) and more about your hypothesis not being supported by the evidence
But WRT the specifics it is worth noting that there has also been a rise in votes for the Green Party, who have very progressive policies WRT immigration, diametrically opposed to Reform. Their vote share went from 6.4% 2 years ago to 18% 2 weeks ago
Yes, I read that, but Reform is getting more votes than the Green Party. I’m not too familiar with British politics but I suspect that Britons are also dissatisfied with the economy. The economy is usually the top issue. When Trump won in 2024, he made border security a top issue, but Americans were also dissatisfied with the economy.
I don’t think you understand how politics works in the real world if you think that tripling your user base in two years is worse than doubling it in the same time
Your understanding of politics is shallow, simplistic, and not rooted in reality
No, centrist parties would be preventing far-right parties from getting into power by adopting those views which are popular with people.
…and in the process those centrist parties, as they adopt the far right policies, become the new far right. QED.
Not really, since centrist policies would be generally milder versions of the far-right policies, but parties have to appeal to the desires of the electorate otherwise, they would be voted out.
You’re operating under the naive conception that fascism can be reasoned or bargained with. No, it can’t. But you don’t need to take my word for it, just open any history book on what was Germany before the ascension of Hitler, or Italy before Mussolini began calling the shots.
The Nazi party gained control because the democratic Weimar Republic could not stop inflation. Also, Hitler was an excellent speaker. See https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OI7eqYx5Pqo
Stop “educating” yourself from youtube shorts and pick up a book. Or don’t, I don’t really care.
Prevent far-right parties getting into power by adopting far-right policies!
Let’s assume that that’s actually a moral thing to do - ask Kier Starmer what adopting exactly that strategy has done for the popularity of his party and the far-right party Reform
The reason is that immigration may not be the only issue.
Immigration is Reform’s one issue, and also what I’ve unfailingly see Reform voters cite as their only reason for voting
Starmer has been pushing immigration as an issue and modelled the party’s policy after Reform. He even gave a speech in which he invoked the most famous anti-immigration speech in British political history. Insiders have said explicitly that the strategy was to court right-wing voters in exactly the manner that you’re suggesting
2 years ago Labour won the general election with 33.7% of the vote. 2 weeks ago they got 20% of the vote in the local elections
2 years ago Reform got 14.5% of the vote. 2 weeks ago they got 31%
This is a party who have explicitly tried the approach that you’re suggesting and it hasn’t had the effect that you think it should. Instead it has lost Labour the support of core voters and given support to Reform by legitimising and reinforcing their platform
This real-world example is the opposite of what you’re claiming would happen
And it should be obvious - “the far-right are right about immigration, therefore you should vote for us instead” is never going to be a sensible message
I’m not familiar with British politics but if voters want the country to be tough on immigration, then parties must adopt that stance or be voted out.
This is less about the specifics (which you are misrepresenting and oversimplifying) and more about your hypothesis not being supported by the evidence
But WRT the specifics it is worth noting that there has also been a rise in votes for the Green Party, who have very progressive policies WRT immigration, diametrically opposed to Reform. Their vote share went from 6.4% 2 years ago to 18% 2 weeks ago
Yes, I read that, but Reform is getting more votes than the Green Party. I’m not too familiar with British politics but I suspect that Britons are also dissatisfied with the economy. The economy is usually the top issue. When Trump won in 2024, he made border security a top issue, but Americans were also dissatisfied with the economy.
I don’t think you understand how politics works in the real world if you think that tripling your user base in two years is worse than doubling it in the same time
Your understanding of politics is shallow, simplistic, and not rooted in reality