Much has been written in recent years about the threats facing Jewish communities in Britain, most often focusing on the dangers posed by the far left or Islamist extremism. While those concerns are real and should not be dismissed, I believe we may be overlooking another developing risk, one that is quieter, slower, and potentially more structural.
Britain may be entering a political shift that history has shown can be dangerous for Jewish communities. Across Europe and the UK, political cycles often swing dramatically from one extreme to another. Periods dominated by progressive or left leaning politics are frequently followed by strong right-wing reactions. We may now be approaching such a moment in Britain. With public frustration growing over immigration, crime, and economic stagnation, there is a growing appetite for harder right-wing politics, and this could have serious implications for minority communities, including Jews.
If this trend continues, it is not unrealistic to imagine the next government being significantly more right leaning than any Britain has seen in recent decades. Some emerging figures in that space raise questions for the Jewish community.
One example is Rupert Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, who has publicly stated that he believes both halal and kosher slaughter should be banned, describing non-stun slaughter as morally unacceptable.
For Jews, shechita/kosher slaughter is not a lifestyle preference but a fundamental religious requirement. Any ban would make traditional Jewish life in Britain extremely difficult. It is not entirely clear whether Rupert Lowes positions stem from hostility toward Jews, a genuine commitment to animal rights activism, or an attempt to create equal restrictions on both halal and kosher practices. Regardless, the effect would ultimately be the same: a serious challenge to Jewish religious life.
Furthermore, there are concerns about those aligned with or adjacent to his political circle. Some have ties to far-right movements, and there has been no unequivocal distancing from extremist rhetoric. History reminds us that minority communities can find themselves vulnerable when political winds shift rapidly and radicalized elements gain influence.
Some may look to Nigel Farage and assume he will dominate the next election, given his popularity in recent years. While it is true that if the election were held tomorrow he could perform strongly, the reality is that the next general election is likely three years away. By then, Farage may struggle to maintain momentum, and his style is not unapologetically right-wing enough to tackle issues like immigration, national security, and economic frustration in a way that could reliably win the electorate’s support. Political timing, strategy, and the ability to appeal to the shifting center are just as important as popularity in predicting outcomes.
History teaches us that the greatest dangers often emerge gradually rather than suddenly. Political winds can shift quickly, and when they do, minority communities sometimes find themselves caught in the middle of broader ideological battles that were never directed at them in the first place. Britain has, in the past, seen periods swing from one extreme to another in ways that, at the time, few anticipated, but that left lasting consequences for those on the margins of society.
This is not an argument against conservative politics, nor is it a claim that Britain is on the brink of widespread antisemitism from the right. Britain remains one of the most tolerant countries in Europe for Jewish life. But complacency would be a mistake. Vigilance is necessary, particularly around protecting religious freedoms such as shechita, regardless of which political direction the country takes.
The Jewish community in Britain must remain aware, not alarmist, but informed. We should take lessons from history and act to ensure that fundamental rights are preserved, even if the risks appear subtle or slow-moving. As Mark Twain famously said, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.”
Sincerely,
Raphael Sassoon
Political Analyst – London, UK
Follow my analysis on X: @realraphael13
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9 Responses
Are most Jews in England religious. That’s the question. Not eating meat could be healthy. If they will ban sugar and salt even better.
This is not new. It’s been many many years in the making but way more open and profound now. That’s why I left Britain some good years back. But unfortunately Jews anywhere don’t have a real future in their current country. There are different issues in every country including the antisemitism.
Perhaps a short history lesson from Nov 1932 to March 1933 will help make your point:
Seats won by the NSDAP (AKA Nazi party) in Weimar Germany Elections
May 1928- 12, Sept 1930 – 106, July 1932 – 230, Nov 1932 – 196,
Hitler appointed Chancellor – Jan 30, 1933
Reichstag set on Fire by NSDAP – Feb. 1933.
Von Hindenberg issues Reichstag Fire Decree which suspends civil liberties.
Hitler arrests and holds some left wing opposition members.
March 1933 – NSDAP wins 288 seats out of a total of 661
March 23 ,1933 Enabling Act passed with 444 votes because SA and SS were in and around the building physically intimidating members of Reichstag.
This was the end of German democracy. It took about 5 months to go from free and fair elections in Nov. 1932 to dictatorship in March 1933.
One guy opposing shechita doesn’t make a movement. This doesn’t appear to have any legs or widespread support.
Of course remain vigilant. But no reason to panic about this particular issue.
The dangers posed by the far left and by Islamist extremism is, in fact, the much greater threat.
What about the fact that their Chief reform rabbi visited a church on shabbos which is against all halacha even if it’s “for the queen”
What a bologna word-salad. “History teaches us that the greatest dangers often emerge gradually rather than suddenly. Political winds can shift quickly, and when they do, etc”- that paragraph doesn’t even make sense. Just some liberal lunatic trying to shift attention away from the far left’s current insanity. And what arrogance, thinking that everyone but him forgets so fast.
Maybe it’s time for Jews to stop beong so worried about threats to Jewish communities abroad and just make aliyah.
I love Israel but I don’t think telling people that are scared about security in Britain to come to a place where everyone’s living in shelters is very reassuring
Actually Rupert Lowe’s party “Restore Britain” has now surpassed the conservatives in membership, which in Britain means a lot, as it since its inception on 13 February 2026 just shy of a month ago, which is pretty crazy, and says a lot about interest in him.
Even Nigel Farage also outpaced both Labour and the Conservatives, but not in one month of opening Reform UK.
Rupert Lowe represents a very large and growing base of British people, not only far right patriots etc, but regular Brits who are just fed up and had enough with how Britain has turned into an international comedy show.
Although he has some policies that do not conflate with Jewish interests ie Shechita, it does not seem to be coming from anti-semitism, rather his main issue is he is trying to pick battles with the Muslim community and force subjugate them, but cannot do that outright without suffering quite obvious consequences, therefore him leaning back on to targeting Jewish similar traditions, so that he can point and say this is not about racially singling the Muslims as you can see I hold this policy in regards to the Jews as well, which is actually the stance the conservatives took when trying to attack the extreme ideologies in the muslim midrashas and other education facilities, but labour now uses to terrorise and attempt to close the yeshivot using this.
End of, Rupert Lowe and his Restore Britain is not just some small anti-shechita guy, he is getting bigger and bigger in the polls and numbers by the day, and has a serious chance at getting 10 Downing Street.
However, as is already being done, Jewish reps are speaking to him already, trying to iron out the details and come to agreements.
Many in his surroundings and supporters who actually helped and were critical in his getting to where he’s now are actually Jewish many also frum.
Tommy Robinson also has his back at least currently, a person who has a huge following, notwithstanding how much people try and belittle him and make him sound irrelevant and small…