Embrace popular mood or see far-right resurgence, warns Hague
Mainstream politicians must tap into the mood of populist nationalism if the world is to avoid a far-right resurgence, said William Hague during a visit to a school in Shropshire.
Lord Hague said it was possible but unlikely that Marine Le Pen, leader of the French National Front, would win next month's presidential election.
But he said it was inevitable she would become president one day if the more centrist politicians did not succeed in tackling the concerns which were causing people to turn to her brand of far-right politics.
He also said he thought concerns about immigration were placing the European Union on a path towards 'slow disintegration".
Addressing a business lunch at Moreton Hall school in Weston Rhyn, Lord Hague said that after decades of change which had seen nation states seeming to wield less influence in the world, many people were now looking to their countries to take back control and represent their interests.
Lord Hague, who had called supported Britain remaining in the European Union at last year's referendum, said that it was important that people now accepted the result of the poll, and instead looked at the opportunities that Brexit would offer.
"I think a lot of people are looking for the restoration of the nation state, I don't think there's any getting away form the people looking to their country to protect their position in some way," he said.
"We have to get into that argument, otherwise it will be claimed by the Ukip or French National Front sort of politicians.
"I would think that Marine Le Pen being elected next month is unlikely, but it is feasible," he said. "If she is elected, the EU will be in for a far greater crisis than anything that will result from Brexit. This, after all, is France, the heart of the EU.
"If she was elected, I think we would see a very different approach particularly in regard to the economy and immigration, and this is causing the slow disintegration of the European Union. And I think that is the long-term outcome."
In a speech punctuated with humorous anecdotes and one liners, Lord Hague spoke of his concern about how the growing use of social media was leading to a more polarised society, with people choosing to only hear arguments that they agreed with rather than listening to people who challenged their viewpoint.
"We now live in an age where you have President Trump tweeting at 6.30 every morning, or three every morning, everything is on social media, and this is something I worry about.
"Everything is engineered to give you more of everything you like and agree with. It is a bit like Netflix, where if you like one film it recommends 10 more you might also like.
"What there really should be is a law that says 'here are nine you will like, and one you will hate but you should watch it because it will challenge you and be good for your brain."
