Geneva Abdul

Kemi Badenoch defended the Conservatives’ decision to let former neo-Nazi activist Joshua Bonehill-Paine stand as a councillor in Somerset, arguing that his counter-extremism work demonstrates rehabilitation and that a local council role is not the same as a national platform. Luciana Berger, whom Bonehill-Paine targeted with antisemitic abuse, said his past conduct and continued misogynistic and provocative online activity made him unsuitable for public office. Bonehill-Paine has multiple criminal convictions, including for antisemitic harassment and racially aggravated abuse, and previously led the far-right National British Resistance. The controversy has renewed debate over rehabilitation, political candidacy and the standards parties should apply to prospective representatives.

Mulatu Astatke discusses the development of Ethio-jazz, which combines Ethiopian pentatonic scales, traditional instruments and chants with jazz, funk and Afro-Latin rhythms. He recalls facing resistance when introducing the style in Ethiopia after studying and performing in Britain and the United States, but later gaining international recognition. Astatke avoids political involvement while emphasizing his love of Ethiopia and argues that African and indigenous communities, particularly the Derashe and Anuak, have been overlooked as sources of musical innovation. He plans a future project featuring musicians from Ethiopia’s indigenous communities and Addis Ababa, continuing his effort to promote Ethiopian culture internationally.