On 20 January 2025, 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to all charges related to the tragic events in Southport on 29 July 2024. These charges included the murders of three young girls, ten counts of attempted murder, and possession of a knife. Today, the judge sentenced the “evil” “sadistic” killer to a minimum of 52 years. Following his guilty pleas, Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the nation, expressing horror at the state’s failings that allowed the attack to occur. He highlighted the need for a comprehensive examination of counter-extremism systems, acknowledging that the face of terrorism has evolved, often involving lone actors inspired by violent online content. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the establishment of an independent public inquiry to investigate the systemic failures that led to the tragedy and revealed that Rudakubana had extensive interactions with state agencies and a history of violent behaviour, including multiple referrals to the Prevent counter-radicalisation scheme, which failed to prevent the attack.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s speech brings a stark reminder, that whilst the nature of terrorism remains constant, the ways in which it manifests and how we address it, have been shaped by political and ideological biases. As someone who has been deeply involved in Prevent and the broader efforts to counter terrorism, this moment calls for an honest reflection on the challenges we face and the changes needed to protect our society.
For years, I and many others have raised concerns about the evolving nature of extremism in the UK. We have seen the troubling rise of extreme right-wing (XRW) ideologies, which have not only spread through social media but have also emboldened movements rooted in hate. Young men, in particular, have been increasingly radicalised by online platforms that amplify antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred (two sides of the same coin, feeding into a broader culture of scapegoating and division, weaponised by extremists to fracture communities and undermine the social cohesion we work so hard to protect), misogyny and other forms of intolerance. These platforms glorify acts of violence, exploit vulnerable individuals, and normalise division and hatred.
While Prevent has always sought to address all forms of radicalisation, political directives have sometimes demanded a narrower focus—one that risks ignoring significant threats from XRW groups, which often target both Jewish and Muslim communities with equal ferocity.
The challenges we face have not been isolated to the UK. The release of far-right leaders by the Trump administration in the United States has sent shockwaves across the global counter-extremism community. The newly inaugurated President commuted the sentences of over 1500 individuals all of whom had been convicted or charged with federal criminal offences. Included in these numbers were over a dozen people, including a number of leaders, from extreme right wing groups Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. His inauguration has emboldened known hate groups and given legitimacy to ideologies that fuel violent extremism. This will have ripple effects here in the UK, where the transnational nature of far-right movements has allowed their influence to spread more widely and rapidly than ever before.
The global far right now operates with a dangerous sense of impunity, often coordinating across borders and using the internet to amplify their messages. The consequences are clear: a rise in hate crimes, greater polarisation, and a growing sense of fear among marginalised communities. These movements thrive on division, and without a robust, unified response, their influence will only continue to grow.
Regrettably, political decision-making has often hindered our ability to address these threats effectively. Under Suella Braverman’s leadership and with the influence of the Independent Reviewer of Prevent, we were instructed to focus primarily on Islamist extremism, even as evidence of growing threats from XRW groups became increasingly undeniable. This narrow, politicised focus has undermined Prevent’s broader mission to tackle all forms of radicalisation and extremism.
I had the opportunity to deliver a workshop on contextualising Islam to members of the Independent Reviewer’s incoming team before he formally took up his post. The team acknowledged its significance and found it both valuable and directly relevant to the challenges they would be addressing. However, despite an invitation to extend the workshop to the reviewer himself and his wider team following his appointment, this opportunity was not pursued. This represented a missed chance to foster greater understanding and approach the complexities of extremism with more nuance and balance. It also suggested that both the reviewer and his superiors had already predetermined the focus and outcomes of the so-called ‘independent’ review.
Contrary to the statement used by our Prime Minister, the face of terrorism has not changed, but fortunately the government has. I hope our new leadership will rise to the challenge and take all forms of extremism seriously. It is not about creating a new police department or introducing additional bureaucracy, but about recognising Prevent for what it truly is: a safeguarding initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable individuals before their actions escalate into terrorism. This must be applied consistently, regardless of ideology, or even the absence of an ideology, if the goal is simply to commit acts of violence against society.
Prevent must address the root causes of radicalisation in all its forms, whether motivated by political, religious, or other ideologies. The rise of global far-right networks, fuelled in part by international political decisions, has highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive and unbiased approach. Adding to this threat, wealthy billionaires have exploited their ownership of social media platforms to amplify divisive narratives, spread hatred, and provide a megaphone for extremism under the guise of free speech. At the same time, the surge in antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred demonstrates that no community is immune from the devastating impact of extremism. Addressing these interconnected issues requires a holistic strategy that confronts not only the ideologies but also the powerful enablers of hate.
As we reflect on the Southport attack and the broader challenges facing us, it is time to recommit to tackling extremism and terrorism in all its forms. Only through a balanced, proactive, and comprehensive approach can we hope to safeguard our society, protect vulnerable communities, and uphold the values we share.
Soulful Spaces 