Politicians’ ‘inflammatory language’ part of failure to tackle extremism, report finds

Report calls for ‘radical rethink’ of how ministers approach extremism, amid risk of declining trust in democracy and institutions

Politicians have been criticised for using “inflammatory language” and peddling conspiracy theories in a report that finds government policies are failing to prevent extremism spreading and taking route in the UK.

The report from Dame Sara Khan, a former counter-extremism commissioner, urges a “radical rethink” of how ministers tackle extremism amid a “chronic risk of democratic decline” due to conspiracy theories, worsening social cohesion and other threats.

Twenty-nine percent of people in the UK believe in the “great reset” conspiracy theory that claims there are plans to impose a totalitarian world government.

Forty-five percent of young men in the UK have a positive view of the misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate.

One in 10 people shared the views of or sympathised with those who engaged in violent disorder and rioting during the summer.