On the Conservatives rhetoric of ‘us-and-them’

“ The Conservative general election strategy is a straightforward appeal to patriotism. Their slogan is “strong, stable leadership in the national interest”. Everything is focused on Brexit and getting the best deal for the UK. The EU makes a convenient enemy to unite against. Conservative and leave-supporting newspapers have ramped up the “us versus them” rhetoric (…) Those who accuse anti-racist campaigners of engaging in divisive “identity politics” are among the least likely to object to aggressive anti-European sentiment. Consistency isn’t the point. It’s about belonging to a team, and challenging anything that doesn’t directly benefit your group ”

Abi Wilkinson, ‘Theresa May is playing identity politics more adeptly than the left’, The Guardian