Conservative Party Defends Candidate With History of Hate Crime

Bonehill-Paine, convicted in 2015 for a campaign of harassment against then-MP Luciana Berger and for inciting hatred against a north London Jewish community, now seeks a seat on the Somerset council. Badenoch argues his past actions, while appalling, do not preclude him from addressing mundane local issues like parking and waste management. She insists he is contrite and could even contribute to efforts against antisemitism.

This stance has drawn sharp rebukes from the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council, both of which refused to meet with him. Berger, now a member of the House of Lords, highlighted the distinction between personal reflection and seeking public office, noting that Bonehill-Paine’s history involves a sustained, targeted campaign rather than isolated incidents. The controversy arrives as British political parties struggle to address persistent antisemitism within their ranks, with recent disciplinary actions affecting both Reform UK and the Green Party. By invoking a 2012 Labour Party candidate selection as a parallel, the Conservatives have attempted to deflect scrutiny, yet the move continues to alienate advocacy groups and former victims of the candidate's past extremism.