The rise and fall of the National Front in Britain

The National Front, a far-right political party, emerged in the United Kingdom during the late 1960s and 1970s, garnering attention and support from British citizens concerned about immigration and other social issues. This article will delve into the origins of the National Front, its peak during the 1970s, and the eventual decline of its political influence. Additionally, we will examine the role of the far right in British politics, the impact of the National Front on race relations, and the organisation’s legacy within the modern political landscape.

Origins of the National Front

The National Front was formed on 7 February 1967 due to the merger of three far-right groups: the League of Empire Loyalists, the British National Party, and the Racial Preservation Society. The Greater Britain Movement, a more explicitly neo-Nazi group, subsequently joined the National Front, and its leadership came to dominate the organisation. The party aimed to capitalise on growing concerns about immigration and used these issues to rapidly increase its membership during the 1970s. The rise of the National Front led to the emergence of various anti-fascist and anti-racist campaign groups, including the Anti-Nazi League and Rock Against Racism.

The British Union of Fascists

The lineage of the National Front can be traced back to the British Union of Fascists (BUF), which was founded on 1 October 1932, and disbanded on 23 May 1940. The BUF was led by Oswald Mosley, a former Tory MP who had switched sides to the Labour Party in 1922. Mosley’s BUF followed a fascist ideology inspired by his visits to Mussolini’s Italy. Despite gaining some initial support from mainstream political figures, the BUF’s violent tactics and open anti-Semitism eventually led to its decline and eventual disbandment.

The National Front in the 1970s

The 1970s marked the peak of the National Front’s influence in British politics. By 1972, the National Front had around 17,500 members. The organisation primarily focused on anti-immigrant policies, such as halting non-white immigration and supporting repatriation. The NF successfully reached a growing number of citizens who felt threatened by the influx of non-white immigrants, leading to a surge in support for the far-right movement.

The role of the far right in British politics

During the 1970s, the far right played a significant role in British politics. The National Front, in particular, was seen as a potent force that tapped into popular concerns about immigration and other social issues. The party gained electoral support in local council elections and even threatened mainstream political parties like the Conservatives and Labour. However, the National Front never managed to secure significant representation at the national level, with its highest point being the 1979 general election, where the party secured only 0.6% of the vote.

Impact on race relations

The rise of the National Front and its anti-immigrant policies significantly impacted race relations in Britain. The organisation’s presence in areas with sizeable black and Asian communities led to tensions and, in some cases, violent confrontations between the far-right supporters and anti-racist activists. A notable example is the Battle of Lewisham in 1977, where clashes between the National Front, anti-fascist protesters, and the police led to numerous injuries and arrests.

Decline of the National Front

Despite the National Front’s influence on race relations in Britain, the organisation’s decline in the late 1970s and early 1980s coincided with an improvement in racial tensions. This can be attributed to various factors, including the growing awareness of racism within the British public following the New Cross fire and the increasing efforts by anti-racist organisations to counteract the far-right’s presence.

Several other factors contributed to the organisation’s downfall, including internal divisions within the party, the rise of anti-fascist and anti-racist movements, and the shift in mainstream politics towards more conservative stances on immigration.

Internal divisions

The National Front faced internal divisions among its members, as factions within the party disagreed on the organisation’s direction and policies. The “populist” wing of the party, led by John Kingsley Read, broke away in 1976 to form the National Party, taking a significant portion of the National Front’s membership with them. This split weakened the National Front and undermined its influence in British politics.

Anti-fascist and anti-racist movements

The rise of the National Front in the 1970s spurred the growth of various anti-fascist and anti-racist movements, which played a crucial role in countering the far-right’s presence in Britain. Organisations like the Anti-Nazi League and Rock Against Racism organised large-scale protests and events to raise awareness about the dangers of the National Front and its policies. These efforts, combined with the growing public awareness of racism in Britain, contributed to the decline of the National Front’s influence.

Shift in Mainstream Politics

The decline of the National Front can also be attributed to the shift in mainstream British politics towards more conservative stances on immigration. The Conservative Party, led by Margaret Thatcher, acknowledged the concerns of many British citizens about immigration and adopted stricter policies. This shift in the political landscape closed the political space around the National Front and led to its eventual collapse.

Legacy of the National Front

Despite its decline, the National Front left a lasting impact on British politics and society. The organisation’s rise and subsequent fall highlighted the dangers of far-right extremism and the importance of anti-fascist and anti-racist movements in countering such threats. The National Front’s legacy also serves as a cautionary tale for contemporary politics, as the rise of far-right parties and movements continues to make headlines across Europe and beyond.

Far-right in contemporary British politics

The far right in Britain has remained mainly on the political fringes since the decline of the National Front. However, some offshoots of the National Front, such as the British National Party (BNP), managed to gain minor electoral successes during the 2000s. The BNP won 55 council seats in 2009 but never reached the level of street activity and influence that the National Front once had.

More recently, far-right organisations like the English Defence League (EDL) and the UK Independence Party (UKIP) have gained attention for their anti-immigration and nationalist stances. However, these organisations have not managed to replicate the influence and impact of the National Front during its peak in the 1970s.

Lessons for today

The rise and fall of the National Front serve as a reminder of the dangers of far-right extremism and the need for vigilance against such threats. The organisation’s story highlights the importance of anti-fascist and anti-racist movements in countering far-right ideologies and the potential consequences of mainstream political parties adopting exclusionary policies. As the world grapples with the resurgence of far-right movements, the lessons from the National Front’s rise and decline remain as relevant as ever.

The National Front’s rise and decline serve as a cautionary tale for contemporary politics as the resurgence of far-right movements continues to impact societies across the globe.