A former neo-Nazi activist has withdrawn as a Conservative Party candidate for a local council election in Britain following widespread criticism over his past convictions for antisemitic offences.
Joshua Bonehill-Paine had been selected to contest the Crewkerne South seat in the 2027 Somerset Council election. He announced his withdrawal after the decision provoked objections from Jewish organisations, opposition politicians and Baroness Luciana Berger, whom he was convicted of racially harassing.
Despite leaving the electoral contest, Bonehill-Paine said Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch had offered him an unpaid advisory position with the party’s Culture and Integration Commission. He said the role would focus on understanding and preventing the radicalization of young men.
Bonehill-Paine was jailed in 2015 for publishing antisemitic material connected to a proposed neo-Nazi demonstration. He was later convicted of racially aggravated harassment after directing antisemitic abuse at Berger, who was then a Labour member of Parliament.
He has described his former views as indefensible and said he has worked against antisemitism and extremism since leaving prison in 2018. His claims of rehabilitation formed the basis of Badenoch’s defence of his original selection, with the Conservative leader arguing that her party believed in giving people second chances.
In announcing his withdrawal, Bonehill-Paine said his candidacy would allow rival parties to focus on his history rather than his current work. He maintained that his experience would be better used helping the Conservatives address antisemitism and radicalisation.
Badenoch said she was saddened that he did not believe he would be given the opportunity to explain his position and represent his community. She nevertheless welcomed his decision to work with the party, arguing that people who had previously contributed to extremism could also help develop solutions after changing their views.
The appointment has attracted further criticism. Berger described the advisory role as an insult and argued that it was no better than permitting Bonehill-Paine to contest the council election.
Critics have also questioned the Conservative Party’s candidate-vetting process and Badenoch’s judgement in defending the selection. Liberal Democrat MP Adam Dance said the withdrawal was the correct outcome but argued that the candidacy should never have been approved.
Reform UK also criticised the advisory appointment, while the Board of Deputies of British Jews welcomed Bonehill-Paine’s withdrawal and called on political parties to maintain robust vetting procedures against racism, discrimination and antisemitism.
The controversy has produced competing arguments about political rehabilitation and the standards expected of people seeking public office. Supporters of Bonehill-Paine’s involvement say former extremists can provide valuable insight into how radicalisation develops, while opponents maintain that the gravity of his previous conduct makes a political or advisory role inappropriate.
Bonehill-Paine is no longer expected to contest the Crewkerne South election. However, questions remain about the precise duties, oversight and duration of his reported role with the Conservative Party’s Culture and Integration Commission.
