The Emergence of the Extreme Right in the United Kingdom

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Definition of Terrorism[edit]

According to the Terrorism Act 2000, terrorism is “… the use or threat of action… designed to influence the government or to intimidate the public or a section of the public… and is made to advance political, religious, racial, or ideological cause…" which must “… involve serious violence against a person, damage to property, endangers life, creates a risk to health, and is designed to interfere with an electronic system.”[1]

The Terrorism Act does not set out a strict definition of Extreme Right-Wing (ERW) terrorism. However, Protect UK, a national counter-terrorism security office, states that this type of violence involves "those involved in ERW activity use violence in furtherance of their ideology" and "represent a cohesive body, rather than a fragmented movement made up of groups and individuals with a range of ideologies.”[2]

According to the British Parliament, key ideologies of extreme right-wing terrorism are white supremacy, cultural nationalism, and the identarian movement,[3] while key targets include non-white ethnic and religious groups, the LGBTQ+ community, and politicians and public figures.[citation needed]

20th century[edit]

ERW groups have been a recurring phenomenon in the United Kingdom since the early 20th century. One of the earliest examples of Fascism in the UK can be found as early as 1923 with the formation of British Fascisti by Rotha Lintorn-Orman.[4]

After the emergence of British Fascisti, it was not until 1932, when Oswald Mosley, who held traditional British values, founded the British Union of Fascists(BUF) and later the Union Movement, that ERW groups started to become more prevalent.[4][5] Mosley believed that fascism was the only possible way to save Britain from socio-economic ruin and a communist takeover.[6]

1950-60s[edit]

During the 1950s and 60s, the landscape of ERW groups continued to evolve with the emergence of organisations such as the League of Empire Loyalists (LEL) and the National Front (NF). The rise of ERW ideologies during this period can be attributed, in part, to the dismantling of the British Empire, due to a sense of national decline.[4]

The LEL, founded by A.K. Chesterton in 1954, believed that Jews were behind the dismantling of the British empire, which they saw as the national "pride and joy."[4] They aimed to “force upon existing parties favourable to national and imperial survival” [4] and hoped to see a return of the “British world… at home and abroad.”[7] Throughout its time, LEL was involved in many non-violent protests, which involved heckling speakers.[8]

National Front

The NF, which was founded in 1967, by Chesterton, through the merging of the LEL and the British National Front and capitalised on the opposition to the immigration rules introduced by Edward Heath, leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party and prime minister, which saw a boost to their membership, to an estimated 17,500 by 1972.[9] Its popularity was further boosted by the infamous Rivers of Blood speech given by Enoch Powell in 1968.[10][11] Throughout its active years, the NF were involved in several violent incidences, notably the 1974 Red Lion Square disorders,[12] over the amnesty of illegal immigrants and the 1977 ‘Battle of Lewisham’, which aimed to intimidate local minority residents.[13] However, by the late 90s, its popularity began to decline following the emergence of the British National Party (BNP), receiving just 2,716 votes in the 1997 General Election.[14]

British National Party

The BNP, founded in 1982 by John Tyndall, was one of the most successful and fastest-growing ERW parties in the twenty-first century.[7] It promoted ethnic nationalism and believed that “being British is more than merely a passport,” as such, it is noted by some, such as Matthew Goodwin, that this is what separates the BNP from other parties in British politics.[15] Throughout the noughties, the BNP established itself as an alternative for working-class voters who were angry at the “political establishment” for its ignorance towards their concerns over immigration.[7] This success led to the party gaining local councillors in the 2002,[16]2003,[17] 2004,[18] 2006,[18] 2007[18] and 2008[18] Local Elections.

21st century[edit]

The 2010s saw the rise of the English Defence League (EDL), National Action (NA) and Britain First (BF). At the start of this decade, it was determined that domestic terrorism, such as ERW terrorism, was not a threat to the UK. However, by 2019, the likelihood of such an attack by these groups was high.[19]

English Defence League

The EDL, founded in 2009, oversaw early “rapid and unprecedented” growth. Its ideology is driven by its opposition to Islam and the supposed “threat” it poses to “our way of life, our customs, and our rule of law.” The successful use of social media allowed for its rapid online growth.[20] However, by the mid-2010s, the EDL's popularity had declined.

Britain First

BF, founded by Jim Dowson in 2011, shared views similar to that of the EDL, which included the opposition to multiculturalism and Islam, with the intention of “protecting British and Christian morality.” Throughout its time, BF was largely digital. However, in response to videos of young Muslims intimidating women, gay men and those drinking alcohol, BF became more confrontational in its resistance against Muslims and Islam.[20]

National Action

Founded in 2013 by Christopher Lythgoe, NA is the first group proscribed by the UK government. NA is described as a Neo-Nazi organisation that stirs up “hatred, glorifies violence and promotes vile ideology.”[21] A turning point in ERW ideology in the UK. It focussed mainly on attracting young people through targeted propaganda.[21] In 2016, 22 members were arrested and charged for being members of this group.[22] Though, in the years following many figures linked to this group were arrested on suspicion of plots to commit extremist acts. A couple of examples include the plot to kill Rosie Cooper, in a bid to “replicate” that of Jo Cox[23] and the possession of terrorist manifestos.[24]

Incidents[edit]

  • In June 2016, Thomas Mair murdered Labour MP Jo Cox as she walked towards her constituency office.[25]
  • In June 2017, Darren Osbourne carried out a terrorist attack on Muslim worshippers at Finsbury Park Mosque, killing 1 and injuring 12.[25] Ethan Stables was committed to planning a terrorist attack on a Gay Pride event.[25] Jack Renshaw was charged with preparing an attack on Labour MP Rosie Cooper.[25]
  • In April 2019, Stephen Bishop was jailed for plotting to bomb a London mosque.[25]

Current threat[edit]

In the past decade, the threat posed by the ERW has evolved and continues to grow.[26] Before 2014, ERW activity was confined to a small, established group that promoted anti-immigration and white supremacist views.[26] These groups tended to present a low risk to the national security but in recent years multiple attacks have been carried out by people who hold ERW views.[26] An official report, published in 2019, highlighted that the UK had the highest number of ERW terrorist attacks and plots in Europe.[27][25]

CONTEST[edit]

To counter such incidents and ideologies, the UK government released the counterterrorism strategy CONTEST.[28] The CONTEST plan highlights that there is a “growing threat” from ERW terrorism and that these groups intend to “exploit any anxieties around globalisation, conflict and migration,” so it aims to prevent those who held such views from becoming more radical.[29]

The Four P's

Protect aims to strengthen the protection against a terrorist attack. This involves reducing the physical risk to people, reducing the vulnerability of public venues, transport and infrastructure and reducing the ability of terrorists to access materials of concern.[30]

Prepare aims to minimise the impact of an attack and reduce the likelihood of further attacks. This includes the use of training, testing, exercising and ensuring there is an efficient cross-organisational system in place. The objectives include deploying an effective and multi-agency response to save lives and mitigate harm.[30]

Prevent aims to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism,[30] through supporting rehabilitation and disengagement of those already involved in terrorism.[30] Early intervention allows for de-radicalisation. In the year ending March 2022, 6,406 referrals were made to prevent.[30] However, critics state that prevent is “incapable of achieving its goal” and stigmatises Muslim communities.[31]

Pursue aims to reduce the threat to the UK and UK interests through the detection and investigation of terrorist networks and the disruption of their activities. So, the UK government works with overseas intelligence agencies to share vital information and for exchange of investigative best practices to counter the threat.[30]

Criticisms[edit]

Critics state that CONTEST needs "urgent work" as engagement with prevent is voluntary. For example, the attacker of Sir David Amess, was referred to prevent but is said to have very little engagement with the programme.[32]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Acts of Parliament Terrorism Act 2000: Section 1", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 2000 c. 1 (s. 1)
  2. ^ "The Threat from Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism". ProtectUK. London. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism" (PDF). Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Stocker, Paul (2015-05-06). "The Postwar British Extreme Right and Empire, 1945–1967". Religion Compass. 9 (5): 162–172. doi:10.1111/rec3.12150. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  5. ^ Cullen, Stephen (January 1987). "The Development of the Ideas and Policy of the British Union of Fascists, 1932-40". Journal of Contemporary History. 22 (1): 115–136. doi:10.1177/002200948702200107. JSTOR 260377. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  6. ^ Worley, Matthew (January 2011). "Why Fascism? Sir Oswald Mosley and the Conception of the British Union of Fascists". History. 96 (1): 68–83. doi:10.1111/j.1468-229X.2010.00507.x. JSTOR 24429007. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Ford, Robert; Goodwin, Matthew J (6 January 2010). "Angry White Men: Individual and Contextual Predictors of Support for the British National Party". Political Studies. 58 (1): 1–25. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9248.2009.00829.x. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  8. ^ Liddell, Colin (29 May 2015). "(Review) The History of the League of Empire Loyalists and Candour". Occidental Observer.
  9. ^ "The National Front and the anti-fascist response in the 1970s". Warwick University Library. 30 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  10. ^ Jackson, Paul (19 July 2010). "Extremes of Faith and Nation: British Fascism and Christianity". Religion Compass. 4 (8): 507–517. doi:10.1111/j.1749-8171.2010.00230.x. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Enoch Powell's 'Rivers of Blood' speech". The Telegraph. 6 November 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  12. ^ "1974: Man dies in race rally clashes". BBC News. 15 June 1974. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  13. ^ "A look back at the Battle of Lewisham". BBC News. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  14. ^ "Electoral performance of the British National Party in the UK" (PDF). House of Commons. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  15. ^ Goodwin, Matthew J (2011). New British Fascism : Rise of the British National Party. Taylor & Francis Group. p. 7. ISBN 9780203808047.
  16. ^ "BNP's local election gains: What are the implications?". BBC News. 7 May 2002. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  17. ^ "Local elections MAIN SCOREBOARD". BBC News. May 2003. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d "Electoral performance of the British National Party in the UK" (PDF). House of Commons. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  19. ^ "Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism" (PDF). Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  20. ^ a b Allen, Chris (7 September 2011). "Opposing Islamification or promoting Islamophobia? Understanding the English Defence League". Patterns of Prejudice. 45 (4): 279–294. doi:10.1080/0031322X.2011.585014. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  21. ^ a b "What is National Action and why is the neo-Nazi group banned?". The Telegraph. London. 5 September 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  22. ^ "National Action". Counter Extremism Project. London. 5 September 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  23. ^ "Rosie Cooper: Labour MP victim of murder plot quits for NHS role". BBC News. London. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  24. ^ "National Action: Co-founder charged with terrorism offences". BBC News. London. 22 April 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  25. ^ a b c d e f "Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism" (PDF). Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  26. ^ a b c "National Action cases - statement and factsheet". Home Office. London. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  27. ^ "UK saw highest number of far-right terror attacks and plots in Europe in 2019, Europol says". Independent. London. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  28. ^ "Counter-terrorism strategy". Home Office. London. 13 February 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism" (PDF). Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  30. ^ a b c d e f "The United Kingdom's Strategy for Countering Terrorism 2023" (PDF). Home Office. London. July 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Analysis: The Prevent strategy and its problems". BBC News. London. 13 February 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  32. ^ "Sir David Amess: Prevent scheme needs urgent work, says Robert Buckland". BBC News. London. 13 February 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
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