The conservative vein that gave rise to Donald Trump's presidency; Brexit and the growth of far-right nationalism across Europe is here.<\/p>\n
And it has found a home within the New Conservative Party.<\/p>\n
The party - which emerged from Colin Craig's Conservatives - wants a full repeal of the post-Christchurch terror attack gun-laws. Its rhetoric has drawn comparisons to white nationalism.<\/p>\n
Canterbury man Lee Williams has spoken out at rallies against what he sees as the infiltration of the West by people of colour.<\/p>\n
\"A New Zealand is going down the exact same path of importing in an alien culture that refuses to integrate,\" he is heard at a recent free-speech rally.<\/p>\n
He has given his full backing to the New Conservative Party in another video on his page.<\/p>\n
Auckland University senior lecturer in politics and international relations Dr Chris Wilson says such rhetoric can be dangerous.<\/p>\n
\"They focus on the importance and superiority of white civilization and the protection of white cultures and homelands in the West,\" he says. \"These ideas are actually very dangerous; and they are motivating a number of people around the world, young white men in some of the most extreme cases to attack people of colour.\"<\/p>\n
But New Conservative NZ party leader Leighton Baker rejects any suggestion his party is on the extreme right of the spectrum.<\/p>\n
The farmer and businessman says he is \"centrist\", someone who believes in human rights.<\/p>\n
\"I'm a worker, I am a taxpayer, I am a father, I'm a grandfather...I don't believe that is extreme in any way.\"<\/p>\n
When questioned over the fact there seems to be growing support from the far-right for the party he says it is beyond his control.<\/p>\n
\"We can't control what people are like...we've been really clear about what we are saying, so we can not actually control what other people say.\"<\/p>\n
Baker is concerned New Zealand is losing its grip on democracy.<\/p>\n
\"It's a sliding step toward socialism,\" he says of the current political system. \"If you had to choose between North Korea and South Korea most people wouldn't choose between North Korea.<\/p>\n
\"Now that's a bit extreme I get that, but it seems we are moving in that way.\"<\/p>\n
His deputy, Elliot Ikilei, believes Western society is the one that affords people the greatest freedom.<\/p>\n
\"The greatest culture in the world is Western culture,\" he told a group of supporters at a recent public event in Wellington. \"It is the one culture where freedom of speech is the cornerstone of that culture.\"<\/p>\n
Ikilei has been a regular guest at free speech rallies. He's tough on crime and against race-based policies.<\/p>\n
\"We would get rid of Mori seats. We would get rid of anything that changes Mori to something special and high up,\" he says.<\/p>\n
Among the party's other 22 candidates is right-wing activist - Dieuwe de Boer, who is standing in Botany.<\/p>\n
The Conservative Christian made headlines in January when police raided his home in search of illegal firearms.<\/p>\n
In 2019 he tried to find an alternative venue for alt-right speakers Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux.<\/p>\n
He has said declining Western populations are being replenished by migrants - a theory that Christchurch shooter Brenton Tarrant referred to in his manifesto.<\/p>\n
But he condemns the shooter's final act of terror, despite defending his right to air his views.<\/p>\n
\"I have been very outspoken against firearm amendment bills and outspoken for freedom of speech,\" he is heard saying in a recent Facebook video.<\/p>\n
A play on the slogan popularised by Trump and an indication of the type of country the New Conservatives want.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
See original here:<\/p>\n
New Conservatives defend Western culture as 'greatest in the world', warn NZ 'sliding toward socialism' - Newshub<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The conservative vein that gave rise to Donald Trump's presidency; Brexit and the growth of far-right nationalism across Europe is here. And it has found a home within the New Conservative Party. Continue reading