Readers have responded to a recent article by Chris Powell, in which he called for a local action network to combat rightwing populism. One letter writer, Julian Wells, argues that such an organisation already exists in the Labour Party, but that it has been undermined by the current leadership.
Wells points out that under Jeremy Corbyn, Labour had a Community Organising Unit that fulfilled the role Powell describes. However, this unit was disbanded under Keir Starmer, and members are now treated as "canvassing fodder" rather than being listened to. He cites an example from his own borough, where a councillor was threatened with disciplinary action for raising residents' concerns over council property sales, leading to a by-election loss to the Greens.
Another reader, Eddie Playfair, argues that describing the threat as "populism" avoids the real issue. He contends that voters are angry because the economic and political system is failing them, and that the far right exploits this. Playfair suggests that the most effective response would be a popular programme of the left, grounded in radical equality and social justice.
Stephen Stone criticises Labour for eroding democracy itself, citing treatment of climate activists, prolonged detention without trial, and failure to act on genocide. He claims Labour is acting as a "warm-up act" for Reform UK.
Anthony Collard highlights Labour's failure to match populists' use of social media, noting that Nigel Farage and others are far ahead in their use of platforms like TikTok. He calls for the leadership to seek skilled antifascist campaigners with local social media expertise.
