Editorial February 2010

Thinking nationally, acting locally

This issue of Searchlight focuses heavily on the challenges we face over the next few years. Let there be no misunderstanding – we are entering very dangerous terrain. The British National Party might have achieved only limited gains in May’s local elections but the underlying trend is of continued growth. Britain is witnessing a fragmentation in party politics, particularly for Labour, and a growing number of people are looking elsewhere. Some are looking to the BNP, others are not.

BNP success in the European elections, the Stoke-on-Trent mayoral contest and the next general election will dramatically alter its fortunes and change the political landscape forever. It is against this backdrop that we are opening a discussion about where the anti-fascist movement must go. We have been successful in limiting the growth of the BNP but it is no longer enough.

While Searchlight alone cannot alter the wider political conditions we can and we will warn against the gathering storm. The national Hope not hate campaign will continue but we will be encouraging and supporting a growing network of local anti-BNP groups committed to more community-orientated campaigning.

We will also not be afraid critically to assess the state of anti-BNP campaigns, we will look at our own campaigning and that of others. Some of what we do works, at least electorally, but other elements are less effective. A bit of honesty and reflection is needed. We might be able to stop the BNP from winning local elections but limiting it to 30% of the vote is hardly a success.

This magazine opens the debate. Over the next few issues we will look at other elements of our campaigning and the wider political picture, and draw on the experiences – good and bad – from continental Europe and North America.

There will be some who will worry about us airing these views in public but given the severity of the situation we face it is vital that this discussion is held, albeit in a friendly and constructive manner. Please feel free to contact us with your ideas and contributions, the best of which will be included in future issues.

The winds of change

The anti-migrant pogroms in South Africa, which have so far cost the lives of over 40 people, are a horrifying reminder of the toxicity of race, poverty and migration in a shrinking world. With food riots erupting across the globe, fuel prices rising ever higher and the world economy on the brink of recession, we can expect more trouble and conflict between religious and ethnic groups around the country.

These are indeed dangerous times.