Joshua Bonehill‑Paine, a former neo‑Nazi activist, has been selected as the Conservative candidate for the Crewkerne South council seat in Somerset.
The candidate’s past includes a 2015 conviction for inciting racial hatred after distributing a flyer that promoted a planned neo‑Nazi rally in Golders Green. The flyer described the event as an “anti‑Jewification event” and referenced the Holocaust’s gas chambers. The case was one of several legal encounters that marked his early political career.
In 2014, Bonehill‑Paine pleaded guilty to malicious communications after claiming a Leicester pub had banned British military personnel to avoid offending immigrants. The allegations prompted threats of arson and assault, forcing the establishment to close temporarily.
He was also found guilty in 2016 of harassing Jewish MP Luciana Berger, calling her a “rodent” and an “evil money‑grabber.” During a later interview, he described how reading the Bible and watching a film about the Holocaust prompted a personal reassessment of his views on Jewish people.
Bonehill‑Paine asserts that over the past eight years he has worked to counter antisemitism and extremism, holding Home Office certification for training police officers, probation services, schools and universities. He claims to have spent time travelling across the country delivering such training.
Party leadership has defended his candidacy, stating that the organization does not recruit neo‑Nazis and that Bonehill‑Paine has shown contrition and rehabilitation. The statement highlighted the party’s belief in second chances for individuals who have changed.
Beyond his political aspirations, Bonehill‑Paine runs the Crewkerne Gazette social media accounts, which produce AI‑generated videos that satirically portray prominent politicians. The accounts have amassed a substantial following on multiple platforms.
Reactions to his selection have been mixed, with some political figures questioning whether his past should disqualify him. The controversy underscores ongoing debates about the rehabilitation of former extremist actors within mainstream politics.
