HDN Think Piece – Why leadership matters more than ever with rising far-right rhetoric

Now is the time for the housing sector to lead with hope, ideas and courage. The weaponisation of faith and religion seeks to divide, but together we can build communities where everyone belongs, and where a home is never denied because of race, faith or background.

Zara Mohammed, HDN Associate, calls for the sector to step up and demonstrate leadership after the events of the weekend.

Last weekend, more than 100,000 people marched in support of Tommy Robinson, a convicted criminal and instigator of hate. Just days earlier, a young Sikh woman was racially abused and raped in her local community. Around the same time, national debates erupted about flying the St George’s flag and the Union Jack. For many, patriotism was the banner, but it came coupled with racist slogans such as “Stop Islam” and “Stop the boats.” On a Sky News segment in Nuneaton, residents of colour were told to “go home,” simply because of the colour of their skin.

These incidents are not isolated. They are part of a rising tide of far-right hate that seeks to weaponise faith, culture and identity to divide communities. At its core, this narrative decides who can and cannot belong, who is or isn’t “British,” and, even more disturbingly, who does and doesn’t deserve a home, safety or dignity.

Alongside this, hundreds of thousands of people have also marched across the country to say no to racism, no to Islamophobia, and no to division. People of all colours, faiths and backgrounds have come together to remind us that solidarity is powerful, and that Britain at its best is united in saying no to hate.

The scale and aggression of Robinson’s march shocked many. As Diane Abbott reflected after attending the counter-protest: “I have been on a great many political marches in my time. But Saturday’s rally… was the only one where I actually felt threatened.” That sense of menace underlines how emboldened the far right has become and why silence or hesitation is no longer an option.

Throughout our history, moments of hostility have tested the values of our society. Even in dark times, people have stepped forward to challenge hatred and to protect inclusion. But today the pressures are high: the cost of living is rising, communities are increasingly vulnerable, and public services are under strain.

What we need now is a new narrative of belonging, one that is bold, confident and fair. For women and girls especially, this is a moment to step up support, create safe space for conversation, and show visible leadership.

The housing sector has a vital role to play. By challenging discrimination, reducing inequality, and investing in inclusive communities, housing providers can show what belonging means in practice. Housing is more than bricks and mortar; it is about safety, stability, dignity and the ability to contribute and thrive.

Now is the time for the housing sector to lead with hope, ideas and courage. The weaponisation of faith and religion seeks to divide, but together we can build communities where everyone belongs, and where a home is never denied because of race, faith or background.”

At HDN we believe that housing organisations must take a proactive approach in developing strategies to address the growing influence of the far right, as its activities directly impact tenants, communities, risk and organisational reputation. Boards and executives have a responsibility to ensure their organisations are prepared to respond confidently—whether that means tackling misinformation, strengthening community cohesion, or safeguarding staff and residents from intimidation or hate.

We have been having a number of constructive discussions with boards and executive teams in both England and Scotland to enable them to shape clear and practical responses. If you would like us to help your organisation, please get in touch at info@housingdiversitynetwork.co.uk.

We also have our Diversity Network Accreditation for those who want to benchmark their organisation’s progress in equality, diversity and inclusion.

Think piece by

Zara Mohammed, HDN Associate