Abstract
Since the summer of 2009 in the United Kingdom there have been a number of violent clashes amongst white and south Asian males, antifascist demonstrators, and the police. These disturbances have centred around the activities of a new far-right grouping, the English Defence League (EDL), which claims to oppose ‘radical Islam’. This article charts the growth of the EDL and examines its motivations and ideologies. It argues that the increasing influence of this organisation reflects wider socio-economic and political processes, and in particular needs to be understood in light of the contemporary state of ‘post-politics’ in which the UK is embroiled. Drawing on our own empirical research, we argue that the growth in popularity of the EDL amongst some segments of England’s marginalised and disenfranchised white working class must be understood in the context of the failure of mainstream political discourses to reach out to these communities, who have instead turned to the EDL as an organisation through which they can vent their anger at the ‘Islamic other’ rather than at the political and financial classes that are the real source of their disadvantage.
Highlights
THE BIRTH AND GROWTH OF THE ENGLISH DEFENCE LEAGUEIn this article we examine the spectacular recent emergence of a new form of far-right street-protest movement in England: the English Defence League
Positioning themselves in vocal opposition to ‘radical Islam’ and ‘Islamic extremism’, these groups organised a series of protest marches in the latter half of that year that on several occasions erupted into clashes amongst the protesters, counter-demonstrators, and the police, and resulted in significant arrests for public order offences
In this article we trace the development of what we call Britain’s postpolitical ‘stupor’, in which ideology has largely become absent from mainstream political policies and debates. We suggest that this has created a vacuum within politics, and especially of the left of the spectrum, which has prompted, at least in part, the growth of the English Defence League (EDL)
Summary
In this article we examine the spectacular recent emergence of a new form of far-right street-protest movement in England: the English Defence League (or as it is more commonly referred to, the EDL). Some of its supporters apparently have a pro-Israeli stance, evidenced by the appearance of Star of David flags at some of their marches (witnessed by the authors at a number of demonstrations during fieldwork from 2009 to 2012) These viewpoints are at odds with many of those normally associated with far-right parties that have long championed the ‘traditional’ ideas of the family and of the role of women within it, whilst being vocal in their opposition to homosexuality. It could well be the case that many of these more moderate aspects of their ideological framework are adopted in order to be seen to be in opposition to the tenets of what they believe constitute ‘extremist Islam’ This may well explain the adoption of Star of David flags, which may in reality be deployed by EDL marchers in order to [Vol 10:123 provoke a reaction from Muslim observers who object to Israeli policies in the Middle East. Unless these issues are recognised, there is a real prospect of the continued growth of the EDL
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
