Populist One Nation’s latest victory points to a thirst for unity. But there are better ways to feel connected | Peter Lewis

When we last polled attitudes to membership, I argued the first act of resistance is to join something.

Ten years on, that project is even more urgent Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast One Nation’s byelection win at Secret Harbour on the weekend can be dismissed as the result of the politics of anger and exclusion, but if we are serious about understanding the surge in support for Pauline Hanson’s party, we should also recognise a nostalgia for belonging and shared identity.

At a time when people are feeling more distant from their leaders and each other, the party’s name seems to offer a patriotic resistance to the status quo.

Like other populist movements around the globe, One Nation is rising at a time of social atomisation and isolation.

This week’s Guardian Essential report shows this plainly: fewer people are joining things.

One-third of those surveyed have never joined anything, ever.

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