Conservatives Pick Ex-Neo-Nazi Joshua Bonehill-Paine for 2027 Council Seat

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Aug 4

Joshua Bonehill-Paine, jailed for three years over neo-Nazi and antisemitic activity, has been selected to contest Somerset's new Crewkerne South seat in 2027.
Kemi Badenoch defended the choice as a "second chance," saying he had shown contrition, completed de-radicalisation work and now delivers counter-extremism training, including with Jewish communities.
Luciana Berger, whom Bonehill-Paine was convicted of racially harassing, said the case still haunts her and that he should have no role in public life.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said the decision "beggars belief" and urged the party to rescind it and review vetting, while Liberal Democrats, Labour and Nigel Farage also attacked the selection.
Bonehill-Paine said his past views were indefensible and linked his break with far-right ideology to Jo Cox's murder, framing his candidacy as a way to give back to a community that supported him.