Sefton Council voted to endorse the Together Alliance message of “hope over fear” ahead of its planned demonstration on March 28
Riot police hold back protesters after disorder broke out in Southport in 2024(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
“Far right lies” are fuelling a ‘dark turn’ in UK politics, according to a Merseyside council, which vowed to to promote ‘unity’, ‘kindness’ and ‘facts’ to combat the “danger and the consequences of [the far right’s] poisonous words.” Councillors from different political parties in Sefton have called for ‘hope over fear’, as they outlined their opposition to “despicable misinformation”.
At a Sefton Council meeting in Bootle Town Hall (January 15), elected councillors voted to endorse the Together Alliance message of solidarity with all communities ahead of its planned demonstration in London on Saturday March 28.
Celebrities such as Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Sir Lenny Henry, Paloma Faith, actor David Harewood OBE, the band Fontaines D.C. and Paul Weller are all supporters of The Together Alliance. In its mission statement, the TA states: “We can change things together.
“The voices of unity can grow stronger. We can show that strength lies in solidarity. That the change we need comes from us working together for hope not despair, for unity not racism.”
Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out in Southport in 2024(Image: 2024 Getty Images)
The council also committed itself to challenge narratives of division and racism promoted by far-right politicians, advocate fairness and accuracy in rebutting ‘far-right mistruths’, and further a spirit of ‘solidarity across the borough’.
These sentiments were shared by Cllr Peter Harvey who introduced a Notice of Motion to support the Together Alliance, he said: “Regardless of our politics however, I do believe that all 66 councillors are honourable, and they want what is best for their area and its residents, whether it’s Southport, Bootle or the many towns and villages in between.
“Far right lies and insinuation, especially online, divide our communities. They turn neighbours, sometimes friends or family, against each other, and these are worrying times.
“The Internet can be more of a curse than a blessing, polarising people with its echo chambers and its algorithms quickly spreading hatred and fear. It also allows people to organise and to mobilise quickly, sometimes for good, sometimes for bad.
“Tonight’s motion intends to build on the spirit of two previous declarations by Sefton’s councillors in November we stood united against racist graffiti in our borough. It followed swastikas being painted in Bootle. Only a few days ago, we saw similar Nazi daubings near Southport Marine Lake, and thankfully, they were swiftly cleaned up and the police are now investigating.
“I know colleagues were appalled at the graffiti, and I share my Liberal Democrat colleague, Councillor Pugh’s disgust and his comments at the time when he described it as, illustrating politics on the brink of a darker turn with, he said, very negative actors in the political underworld feeling emboldened.
“We know who these negative actors are. We know their motives, and sadly, we know the danger and the consequences of their poisonous words.
“Sefton Council also stood united in the days following rioting on our streets 18 months ago, and you know, even saying those words is shocking, rioting on our streets, the streets of Sefton.
Graffiti on the walls of an underpass in Litherland, Liverpool(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“Despicable misinformation that was spread by far right extremists and amplified by some prominent political figures nationally, the negative actors, that was successful in fueling anti-Muslim and anti-migrant hostility in Southport, and subsequently elsewhere in Britain.
“It was a time of deep grief for many in Sefton, the deepest grief, and it was made worse by far right thuggery. At the time, a unity motion, seconded by our Conservative colleague, Councillor Prendergast, urged everyone to think before sharing information online to ensure they are not spreading misinformation.”
Cllr Harvey added: “Facts matter, truth matters and fairness matters. I urge us all to commit to those values in our rebuttals of far right mistruths, to shine light, as opposed to the heat of misinformation.
“I’m aware madam where Madam Mayor, in politics generally, has an awkward relationship with words such as ‘love’ and ‘kindness’. As our Labour colleague Councillor Neary stated in a recent debate, kindness is not a word politicians should be afraid of, and it certainly shouldn’t be confused with weakness. Kindness is not weakness.
“Other words, such as decency, unity and hope can also sometimes be skirted around in political circles and political debate. So I find it refreshing to see such language being used by the Together Alliance.
“This is a collective of trade unions, charities, organisations and individuals, and while I’m not asking councillors to join the group’s demonstration of strength in London that is planned for a few weeks time, and after all, London is not everyone’s cup of tea.
“It is Together Alliance’s message of hope over fear that I am asking members to support and to stand with our communities by continuing to actively challenge narratives of division and racism, especially those promoted by far right politicians.”
The motion was unanimously passed by all political parties present at Sefton Council meeting, following an outbreak of applause ringing out for Cllr Harvey’s speech.