Déjà vu? Well, let us hope not.

Have we witnessed the discourses of contemporary England in Europe before? Well, let's hope not.

By Edward Loveman

Following this week's attempted 'Trumpist' coup of  in the US Capital, you would be excused for thinking that the most serious threat to Western democracy lay within its largest. Certainly, it would be remiss to ignore the voices of White Supremacy that hold such sway for many citizens in the US (this alone requires its own post - perhaps multiple!). But do not let recent events draw attention away from the realities of England's problems. I say this as a caution, because one could argue that the last time Europe witnessed the discourses of present it resulted in arguably the most deeply disturbing crime against humanity in modern history.

'Do not let recent events draw attention away from the realities of England's problems'.

A country in economic turmoil, with many associating their feeling of being 'lost at sea' with the processes of globalisation. Nostalgia for a bygone Empire is commonplace and it goes hand in hand with the alienation of ethnic minorities. The media is dominated by tabloids - owned by media tycoons. It is an age of decadence, culture wars and conspiracy theories. Does this sound familiar? Well if it does, you should note that these descriptors weren't written regarding England, but have been recognised as key issues that led to the break-up of the German Weimer Republic in the 1920's.

During this period, Adolf Hitler used the legislation of the Treaty of Versailles as a platform from which to build the Nazi Party's violent, racialised, authoritarian agenda. They adopted policies that aimed to abolish the perceived unfair treatment of Germany by other European nations. Promised new jobs, better pensions and increased employment rights. Believed wholeheartedly in the superiority of the German nation. They declared that their rule would bring in huge industrial contracts. Jews were used as the convenient scapegoat for all Germany's problems.

'Aimed to abolish the unfair treatment of other European nations. Promised new jobs, better pensions and increased employment rights'.

I appreciate that some may scoff at the comparison being made. But if so, humour me somewhat. Consider the tag line of the Conservative Party 2019 manifesto 'Unleash Britain’s Potential'. It promises that under Conservative leadership 'we' would;

• Take back control of our laws 
• Take back control of our money
• Control our own trade policy 
• Introduce an Australian-style points-based immigration system
• Raise standards in areas like workers’ rights, animal welfare, agriculture and the environment.
• Ensure we are in full control of our fishing waters. 

In other words, the policies adopted are aimed at taking back control and removing the unfair treatment ‘we’ receive from other EU member states. Make our own trade deals, believing wholeheartedly that we produce the best 'stuff'. Alter the number of immigrants arriving – because obviously immigration is the cause of all our problems right? Increase the standards of workers and ensure that we have control of our waters, lest anyone forget ‘Britannia rules the waves’. See where I’m going with this?

Now in reality, the Conservative Party is not the Nazi Party. I’d also wager a large sum of money that nearly all of those that vote conservative would tell you outright how horrendous the Nazi Party was. Neither though, am I suggesting that the left is completely righteous, morally free of any criticism. They have either failed to provide enough of a challenge to the current system to which the majority give consent or produced arguments that have intensified the divide. But this isn’t about political affiliation, or necessarily the fascism associated with 20th Century Europe. Instead we should consider how fascist elements may be taking new forms and operating under new conditions. I am simply raising the comparison so that one may seriously question the rising tide of ultranationalist conservative ideology (not in a political context) swelling in the water that is English society. It is perhaps, time for us to grapple with the reality that the prejudices and discriminations assigned to a darker period of human history have begun to re-emerge. 

'Seriously question the rising tide of ultranationalist conservative ideology swelling in the water that is English society'.

Before I finish this post, I would like to add the poem of Michael Rosen, titled 'Fascism; I sometimes fear...':

"I sometimes fear that

people think that fascism arrives in fancy dress

worn by grotesques and monsters

as if played out in endless re-runs of the Nazi's.

Fascism arrives as your friend.

It will restore your honour,

make you feel proud,

protect your house,

give you a job,

clean up your neighbourhood,

remind you of how great you once were,

clear out the venal and the corrupt,

remove anything you feel is unlike you...

It doesn’t walk in saying, 

'our programme means militias, mass imprisonments, transportations, war and persecutions'."

Know that my ultimate fear is not the return of another Hitler, history does not repeat itself with such 'obviousness'. It is however, certainly feasible that the current timeline returns us to a point where humans are forced to make a choice - either standing for what is right, even if it results in their own retribution, or staying silent so as to maintain their place within the status quo. The current landscape is fertile for growing ethno-nationalist sentiment, fascist policies and authoritarian governance. The similarities between our era and 1920's Germany can no longer be dismissed as simple scaremongering. Last time round society stood back and watched as the horror unfolded. The consequences of turning a 'blind eye' are too great. Let us not make the same mistake again.