Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi who had been selected as a Conservative council candidate, has announced he will no longer stand in the upcoming local elections. The decision comes after intense pressure over his past actions, including distributing flyers for an 'anti-Jewification event' in Golders Green, an area with one of London's largest Jewish communities.
Withdrawal Amid Controversy
Bonehill-Paine had been chosen as the Tory candidate for the Crewkerne South ward on Somerset Council, despite a criminal record that includes a 2015 jail sentence for inciting racial hatred. In a post on X, the self-described satirist, who also uses the pseudonym Crewkerne Man, said he would instead support party leader Kemi Badenoch in her efforts to tackle antisemitism. He expressed regret, stating that people may not realize how 'terrible' he feels about his past actions toward Jewish people.
He wrote: 'I also know that if I stand as a council candidate, other political parties will spend all their time focusing on my past rather than the work I’m doing today, or even fighting antisemitism in their own midst.'
History of Offenses
Bonehill-Paine's history with the Conservatives is fraught. He initially joined the party after leaving college but was expelled when he used his membership card to break into a police station and assault officers. His antisemitic activities include sharing leaflets promoting a neo-Nazi rally in north London, which he described as 'an absolute gas.' In 2016, he was convicted of harassing Jewish MP Luciana Berger, whom he called a 'rodent' and an 'evil money-grabber.'
More recently, he claimed to have reformed, citing his time in prison where he read 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,' a novel set in the Auschwitz concentration camp. This alleged change of heart was cited by Mrs. Badenoch when she defended his selection, emphasizing her belief in 'rehabilitation' and noting his apparent contrition.
Political and Public Reaction
The decision to select Bonehill-Paine was widely condemned by Jewish organizations and politicians. Ms. Berger, who was a target of his harassment, called it a 'terrible error of judgement' and wrote on her Substack blog: 'For the avoidance of doubt I don’t believe this man should hold any position in public life – because of both his racism and his views of women.' She also pointed out that he showed no remorse during his trial, where he performed a Nazi salute to supporters in the public gallery.
In his X post, Bonehill-Paine mentioned that Mrs. Badenoch had suggested he become an adviser on the party’s Culture and Integration Commission, but Jewish community groups refused to meet with him. He added: 'I love the Conservative Party. I believe in its values, and I believe that Kemi Badenoch is someone who believes in principles, believes in redemption and will stick her to do the right thing. I support the work the Party is doing to rebuild trust with the British people, and I intend on making a meaningful contribution to tackling extremism and promoting social cohesion.'
Impact and Next Steps
Bonehill-Paine's withdrawal is a significant development for the Conservative Party, which has faced criticism for its handling of antisemitism. The party has yet to announce a replacement candidate for the Crewkerne South ward. The episode highlights ongoing tensions within the party over candidate selection and the balance between rehabilitation and public trust. As the local elections approach, the party will need to navigate these issues carefully to maintain credibility with voters and community groups.
