Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi and former Conservative Party advisor, has withdrawn his candidacy in the upcoming Tory council election after facing backlash from Jewish community groups. The candidate, who was previously identified as an antisemite, had been selected to contest the Crewkerne South ward in Somerset (dailymail.com). His withdrawal follows public condemnation from Jewish organizations who expressed outrage over his past associations.
Bonehill-Paine had been chosen by the Conservatives to run in the May 2025 election, but his candidacy was challenged after his history as a far-right activist came to light. A former advisor to the Conservative Party, he had been vetted by Reform UK, the party’s right-wing faction, but later withdrew from the race. He has since been offered an advisory role, though details remain unclear (mirror.co.uk).
The incident highlights growing concerns within the Conservative Party about the vetting process for candidates, particularly in light of rising tensions around far-right politics and antisemitism. Jewish groups have called for greater transparency and accountability in selecting candidates for local elections.
The party has not yet issued a formal statement on the matter, but the withdrawal marks a significant shift for Bonehill-Paine, who had previously defended his political stance.
