Full Breakdown
Tory Candidate Selection Sparks Outcry Over Former Neo-Nazi’s Candidacy
8/5/2026, 8:40:03 PM
Core Event
The Conservative Party has selected Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi activist who served prison terms for antisemitic and racially aggravated harassment, as its candidate for the new Somerset Council ward of Crewkerne South in the 2027 local elections. Bonehill-Paine, who now runs the satirical “Crewkerne Gazette” social-media account, announced his candidacy on social media, describing himself as “tremendously proud” to stand for the party.
Background of Joshua Bonehill-Paine
Bonehill-Paine was convicted in 2015 for posting antisemitic material ahead of a planned neo-Nazi rally and received a three-year sentence. In 2016 he was found guilty of racially aggravated harassment of then-Labour MP Luciana Berger, publishing a series of abusive blog posts that labelled her a “rodent,” “dominatrix,” and “evil money-grabber.” Additional convictions include assault on a police officer, burglary of a police station, and a 2014 malicious-communication charge related to an anti-Islam hoax. Since his release, he claims to have worked in counter-extremism, holding Home Office certifications to train police officers on antisemitism.
Official Statements & Responses
She added that the party believes in “second chances” and that the candidate would serve only a local council role, not a national platform.
Criticism & Opposition
Former Labour MP and current House of Lords member Luciana Berger publicly condemned the candidacy, saying the case “still haunts me” and that Bonehill-Paine should have “no role in public life.” She described his past harassment as “a sustained campaign” that extended beyond her to other victims.
Karen Newman, vice-president of the Board of Deputies, called the selection “appalling” and “beggars belief,” urging the Conservatives to review their vetting processes.
A Reform UK spokesperson criticized the decision as hypocritical, arguing that the party’s claim to combat antisemitism is undermined by selecting a convicted antisemite.
Verbatim Quotes
- “For the avoidance of doubt, I don’t believe this man should have *any* role in public life – because of both his racism and his view of women.” — House, of Lords
- “He was convicted for racial harassment for 5 specific blogs. But that wasn’t all – he’d published *reams* of deeply racist, misogynistic and pornographic material about me,” — Berger. She
- “There’s a reason why Mr Bonehill-Paine wasn’t selected as a Reform UK candidate. Meanwhile, while Kemi Badenoch claims to have a new generation of Tory candidates and says she supports the fight against antisemitism, she is selecting a convicted antisemite to stand for the Conservatives. The hypocrisy is breathtaking.” — Reform UK spokesperson
- “Kemi claims the Tories have changed and they will have a new generation of candidates – it’s now clear what calibre of candidates they will be. Kemi claims to support the fight against antisemitism yet selects a convicted antisemite Nazi as a candidate. The hypocrisy is breathtaking.” — Reform UK spokesperson
What’s Next
Bonehill-Paine will appear on the ballot for the Crewkerne South ward in the 2027 Somerset Council elections. The Conservative Party has indicated that the decision will ultimately be decided by voters, while Jewish community organisations have pledged to monitor the campaign and continue lobbying the party to withdraw the candidate.
