Former far-right activist selected as Conservative candidate in Somerset elections
A former far-right activist with a history of convictions for hate-related offenses has been selected to run as a Conservative candidate in upcoming local elections. Joshua Bonehill-Paine will stand for the Crewkerne South seat in next year’s Somerset Council elections, reports BritPanorama.
Bonehill-Paine expressed his pride in being selected by the party, marking a significant turnaround from his past activities as a neo-Nazi activist. He has generated controversy for his prior convictions, including harassment of former MP Luciana Berger through a series of anti-Semitic remarks and inappropriate online posts.
In 2016, he was convicted for harassing Berger, during which he made derogatory claims about her and illustrated his comments with offensive imagery. One post labelled her as responsible for Jesus’s death, underscoring his problematic history.
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, acknowledged Bonehill-Paine’s resurgence, stating that the party “believes in second chances.” She highlighted his certification from the Home Office to train police officers on anti-Semitism and counter-extremism, arguing that his past does not preclude him from being a constructive member of society.
Badenoch remarked, “Yes, he is somebody who had been previously convicted, but he is someone who has shown contrition for his crimes.” She added that Bonehill-Paine is actively contributing to communities, particularly Jewish ones, indicating a desire for rehabilitation.
The Conservative Party characterized Bonehill-Paine’s previous actions as “indefensible” but emphasized his attempts to atone through counter-extremism initiatives. A spokesperson noted, “He was rightly punished and served his sentence,” while accepting that his candidacy poses a risk, the party supports rehabilitation.
Bonehill-Paine now manages the Crewkerne Gazette, a satirical platform where he shares perspectives against antisemitism. He reaffirmed his commitment to change, stating his pride in becoming a better person over the last decade and his passion for encouraging others who have made similar mistakes to adopt different paths.
Announcing his candidacy, he pledged to prioritize local issues and bolster Crewkerne’s profile within the broader political landscape. Bonehill-Paine declared, “No more weakness. No more excuses. No more decline. No more being forgotten.”
Meanwhile, Badenoch has been scrutinizing the candidate selection process for the next general election, emphasizing that all candidates, regardless of past status, must demonstrate their commitment to the party. She clearly stated that former MPs do not automatically regain their prior positions, signaling a comprehensive approach to candidate evaluation moving forward.
As political dynamics shift ahead of the elections, the implications of Bonehill-Paine’s selection and the Conservative Party’s position on rehabilitation and past offenses remain to be fully understood.
