The UK’s Far Right CIVIL WAR has BEGUN

Summary

The video explores the emerging far-right civil war in the UK, paralleling the conflicts within the US right-wing. It discusses the rise of Steve Laws, an ethnonationalist figure, and how podcasting dynamics, driven by views and controversy, are amplifying his platform. The script analyzes the mechanics of right-wing content creation, where controversial figures are invited to podcasts for views, leading to their normalization. Ultimately, the video suggests that internal fractures within the far-right, driven by ideological extremes, will lead to its self-destruction, and the speaker hopes this implosion happens before it can seize more political power.

Takeaways

• 😀 The UK far-right is experiencing internal divisions similar to the MAGA civil war in the U.S., with figures like Steve Laws challenging established norms.
• 😀 Steve Laws, an extreme ethnonationalist, advocates for England to be for the English, which includes deporting non-English people, and has gained a following online despite being rejected by mainstream UK far-right figures.
• 😀 Figures like Andrew Gold and Sargon of Akkad are attempting to distance themselves from Steve Laws due to his extreme views, particularly his racist stance toward Jews, but his growing visibility makes this increasingly difficult.
• 😀 Online content creators in the far-right space are incentivized to host controversial guests like Steve Laws, as these guests bring in views, which in turn helps them grow their platforms.
• 😀 The podcasting ecosystem, driven by YouTube's algorithm, encourages the inclusion of controversial figures. As Steve Laws appears on more platforms, his views gain wider exposure and normalization.
• 😀 The far-right ecosystem is driven by an economic incentive: controversial figures like Steve Laws attract large audiences, which in turn benefits podcasters financially and amplifies these extremist views.
• 😀 The global nature of far-right movements, particularly through platforms like YouTube, means that even if Steve Laws doesn't have widespread support in the UK, he can still gain traction internationally.
• 😀 As Steve Laws gains more visibility, his ideas may influence more UK right-wingers to adopt ethnonationalist views, leading to ideological shifts within the movement.
• 😀 The far-right's tendency to scapegoat various groups (e.g., Jews, trans people, immigrants) for societal problems will eventually lead to internal conflicts, as the movement becomes increasingly fragmented.
• 😀 While there is hope that the far-right will implode due to internal contradictions, the key challenge for the opposition is to create a strong counter-narrative and alternative before the far-right reaches positions of greater power.

Q & A

What is the current far-right civil war happening in the UK?

The UK is experiencing a far-right civil war, mirroring the divisions in the US. The main conflict revolves around figures like Steve Laws, an ethnonationalist, and the tensions within the UK right-wing over his extreme views, including his belief in deporting non-English people.

Who is Steve Laws, and why is he controversial?

Steve Laws is an ethnonationalist who believes that England should only be for ethnically English people, advocating for the deportation of non-English individuals. He is controversial due to his extreme racist views, including antisemitism, which have led some factions of the right-wing to distance themselves from him.

How has Steve Laws gained attention despite his controversial views?

Steve Laws has gained attention primarily through social media and podcasts, where controversial figures are often invited due to the algorithm-driven need for content that generates views. This attention has been amplified by Elon Musk sharing his content, despite him being too extreme for many in the UK's right-wing circle.

Why do right-wing podcasters continue to invite controversial figures like Steve Laws?

Right-wing podcasters are driven by the need to generate views, which directly ties to the monetization of their content. Controversial figures like Steve Laws bring in views, making it hard for podcasters to resist inviting them, despite their extreme views. This creates a cycle that normalizes these figures within the media landscape.

How does the YouTube algorithm contribute to the rise of extremist figures like Steve Laws?

The YouTube algorithm favors content that generates views and engagement. As controversial figures like Steve Laws gain attention, other podcasters are incentivized to invite them on their shows, further amplifying their reach. This creates a feedback loop where these figures become more mainstream within certain right-wing circles.

What is the long-term impact of Steve Laws gaining traction in the UK right-wing space?

As Steve Laws gains traction, his views may become more normalized in the discourse, influencing a larger portion of the UK right-wing to adopt his ethnonationalist stance. Over time, this could lead to a shift in the ideology of the far-right, potentially creating fractures within the movement as they become more extreme.

How does the international nature of far-right audiences influence figures like Steve Laws?

The far-right audience is not confined to the UK; it is international, particularly in English-speaking countries. This means that even if there isn’t a large domestic movement in the UK for Steve Laws, his support base can still grow by tapping into a global audience that shares similar extremist views, especially those influenced by figures like Nick Fuentes in the US.

What is the risk of right-wing ideologies becoming disconnected from mainstream public opinion?

As the far-right becomes more radicalized and driven by extreme figures like Steve Laws, their views may increasingly diverge from the general public's attitudes. This disconnect could create an online world where far-right ideas are normalized within certain echo chambers, but do not resonate with the majority of people in society.

What is the eventual fate of far-right movements according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that far-right movements will ultimately implode due to their inability to solve real societal issues. These movements thrive by scapegoating marginalized groups, but as they continue to make the pool of acceptable ideology smaller, they will fracture, consuming themselves in the process.

What role does economic disparity play in the rise of far-right politics?

Economic inequality plays a key role in the rise of far-right politics, as these movements often offer simplistic solutions, blaming marginalized groups for societal problems. However, the speaker argues that even if these scapegoats are removed, issues like economic disparity and poor living conditions will persist, leading to the eventual collapse of far-right ideologies.