In this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to author and leading Guardian columnist Rafael Behr about the interconnectedness of ultra-capitalism and reactionary right-wing forces in politics. They discuss how both radicalised elderly voters nostalgic for the past and wealthy tech billionaires like Elon Musk are supporting extreme right-wing movements, creating a more dangerous political landscape than the \"cosy\" narrative of just elderly voters being concerned about change. Rafael analyses the Labour Party's failure to adequately confront far-right threats, particularly noting how they treat extreme right-wing protests as legitimate political expression rather than addressing the underlying fascism. Raf and Nick discuss how figures like Nigel Farage have been able to manipulate both mainstream and extreme right-wing voters, and discuss the lack of strong pushback from both Labour and Conservative parties against far-right influences, including Russian interference and extreme positions on immigration. They conclude by discussing their concerns about the need for clearer red lines against fascism and whether Labour leader Andy Burnham would articulate a stronger response to these sinister aspects of an increasingly transnational radical right.
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