Why are we sleepwalking towards a dystopia marketed by charlatans?

As I relax with my morning coffee here in the UK—like so many others—I find myself glancing over news articles covering the whirlwind cycle of events in the USA. I try to keep hold of my optimism and remind myself, with a wry smile, “Surely, that kind of drama could never unfold here!” Still, I can’t silence my persistent whispers of doubt, which are thankfully but gently nudging me to stay alert. Perhaps my thoughts aren’t naivety, but simply another welcome and healthy dose of Stoic resolve kicking in. After all, the world stage always seems to deliver way more plot twists than any soap opera or virtual reality show can!

The following questions keep rolling around my head as I scan worrying headlines and sip my coffee;

1. Will Nigel Farage, arguably a #1 fanboy of Trumpism tactics, ever rise to lead and govern the UK, its policies and strategic direction?
   1. In my opinion, highly unlikely, but others could follow.
2. If I’m wrong, and Farage (or someone of his ilk) became ‘our’ leader, how long would it take before all the copycat Trumpism tenets flowed, and more authoritarian processes were allowed to take hold in the UK?
   1. Again (hopefully) unlikely, and probably not to such extreme levels, at least not in the initial stages.
3. How soon could we be witnessing Trumpism style assaults on UK systems, which should stop authoritarianism from evolving?
   1. In reality, some guardrails have already been diluted, have appeared in policy documents, or are at least in the planning stages; when you start to listen critically and dissect the political rhetoric with some clinical precision.

In recent years, far right populist politics have gained significant ground both in the UK and across Europe. Parties and movements espousing nationalist, anti-immigration, and anti-establishment rhetoric have surged, with figures such as Nigel Farage and his Reform UK Limited, continually challenging previous ‘mainstream’ political parties. Activists like Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (Tommy Ten Names) are sending out clarion calls rallying ‘troops’; suggesting they should covertly prepare to defend their supremacy in a ‘war’ of racial division.

Across Europe, similar trends are evident with the rise of parties like France’s National Rally, Italy’s Brothers of Italy, and Germany’s Alternative for Germany, all capitalising on public discontent, economic anxieties, and concerns about national identity.

These advances mirror current events in the USA, where Trumpism has reshaped the Republican Party and energised a base through polarising discourse, attacks on institutions, and promises to “drain the swamp”. There are already many worrying similarities which are increasingly evident here in the UK. We are witnessing the use of divisive messaging (Reform), claims of defending traditional values (Reform), and all of this rhetoric is a strategy seeking to undermine trust in democratic norms.

In both contexts, populist leaders (Trump & Farage) have exploited societal fears and frustrations. They continually target minorities and immigrants with increasing levels of disparaging political rhetoric, vitriolic mistruths, and now violence is beginning to seep into that process. And most worryingly of all, the established checks and balances, which were designed to prevent some or all of this, have been systematically eroded beyond all previous recognition and capability. By the authoritarian regimes that the people previously voted for. Go figure!

Don’t believe me, or any number of intelligent and knowledgeable dissenting ‘experts’ on a growing list; then listen to US Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), explaining Trump’s authoritarian playbook (HERE). The speech, which was actually delivered back in October 2025 (approx 16mins long) is scarey. It clearly outlined and predicted much of what we has subsequently come to fruition. And it also speaks to the levels of naivety that are still evident today. You might choose to dismiss Slotkin’s words as “scaremongering” or even some party-political rhetorical showboating, from a dissenting member of the political opposition in American. That’s only true in part. Yes, Slotkin is refusing to be compliant with the directions of the current Administration but by doing so, you also dismiss clear warning signs, and the possibility that similar methodologies might come flooding down UK roads in the future.

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

On our side of the pond, Reform UK Limited isn’t really a ‘new’ phenomenon, or a party with very many (if any) ‘new’ ideas. Regardless of how they might market their ideologies, in a much more subtle and ‘friendly’ manner than Trump; they’re still bringing MAGA politics to a UK audience, they’re simply speaking with a different accent. Reform are backed by the same billionaire money (Musk et al). There is a similar flow of foreign interests circling around their veins and they show that with similar driving their methodology. Reform are simply being packaged in different colours, to make them more palatable for a British audience. What is arguably far-right anger is imported and their tactics are familiar. Divide the electorate, blame the vulnerable whilst promising strength and wealth for all, while they are quietly serving already wealthy and potentially power crazed individuals.

It’s already depressing that such people might exist and feed off their perhaps less educated fellow humans. But it’s far more concerning that some apparently more intelligent people are also falling for this shit. We are already seen how this plays out abroad. History has kept the receipts to show us where all this can lead. Yet some continue to swallow old tropes dressed as “common sense” whilst “flag-shaggers” wave their upside-down “patriotic” Chinese plastic flags under our receptive noses. But non the Reform diatribe is a rebellion, designed by Reform to fix a “broken country” for the rest of us. This is little more than simple replication and repetition, which is designed to deform the state and service the engine that powers the requirements of the few.

So, for me at least, all of the above continually raises that ultimate question; will comfortable and liberal democratic systems have the resilience to survive all of this and if so, what longevity might remain if they do – on either side of the Atlantic?

Regardless of the many frightful events that are now taking place, on both sides of the pond – all of which are way beyond my direct control – the dangerous cosplay continues to unfold. However, I’m happy that I know where my ‘activism’ will sit in all this division. And, possessing a reasonably rounded understanding of world history, I also know what sort of country I want to live in. But do you?

The types of people who are now seeking to divide us, marginalise or exclude minorities, and destroy all the things that once underpinned all of our freedoms are not the kinds of people that I could willingly align with, in any shape or form. But my final salient question remains; will you?

Wherever you are and whoever you are, I hope you can enjoy your day, despite whatever challenges it might bring. Now back to my coffee!