I think this is the closest to the truth. The people who fund them _are_ racist so it's in their interest to promote the illusion that the proles agree.

I think it's more are paralysed and in denial over what they are facing. The traditional playbook for politicians is to go into listening mode on the assumption that if you resolve certain grievances you douse the flames. But are facing quite a different threat and can't seem to adjust accordingly.

I don’t really know why anyone would go into politics if they didn’t have the bit inside them that says “while I don’t want there to be Nazis, I can’t deny I would relish the chance to fight Nazis”

Yeah. That's why say are in denial/rabbit in the headlights. A consistent thing with Starmer/Labour under him is are slow to react to material changes that mean have to rethink their political approach. Obviously the right radicalising to a dangerous place requires that.