Since July 30, 2024, several British cities and towns have been gripped by a wave of far-right violence described as the worst since World War II. This outbreak followed the killing of three girls in a knife attack at a children's party in Southport, northwest Britain. The violence involved a series of criminal and inflammatory actions in what appear to be coordinated efforts to thwart immigration and intimidate minorities in Britain. This reflects the British far-right's ability to utilize and even evolve its traditional tools to adapt to the current context and available resources.
Traditional Tools
To understand the far-right's direct involvement in the current disturbances, it is essential to examine some of the traditional tools they have historically used to achieve their goals. These tools are part of a strategy in response to political, social, and technological changes and can be outlined as follows:
1. Protests and public demonstrations:
The British far-right has relied on public protests and demonstrations as a fundamental tactic since the second half of the last century. Groups like the National Front in the 1970s and the British National Party in the 1980s and 1990s frequently organized marches and protests in cities and towns across the UK. The English Defence League (EDL), founded in 2009, continued this tradition by organizing anti-Islam protests in cities with significant Muslim populations. These gatherings often included inciting speeches condemning immigration, multiculturalism, and alleged threats to "British values," with participants holding banners with slogans like "Britain First" or "Stop the Islamization of Britain." These events frequently led to clashes with the police and anti-fascist groups.
2. Propaganda and recruitment strategies:
Propaganda has always been a cornerstone of far-right activity in Britain. Historically, far-right groups have used various methods to spread their messages, including leaflets, posters, and newsletters disseminated among their supporters. These materials often contained exaggerated or false claims aimed at provoking resentment towards minorities and proved to be effective in spreading far-right ideas at the grassroots level, especially in areas facing economic hardship or demographic changes. The narrative often blames societal and economic problems on "outsiders" and promotes the belief that returning to traditional British values is the best way to solve these issues.
3. Acts of violence and intimidation:
British far-right groups have resorted to violence and intimidation as part of their tactics to spread fear among minorities and demonstrate their willingness to act according to their beliefs. The violence often ranges from assaults on individuals perceived as "enemies," such as immigrants or political opponents, to vandalizing minorities' places of worship or shelters. In some cases, the far-right has been involved in more organized and deadly attacks, such as the 1999 London bombings carried out by neo-Nazi David Copeland, targeting black and Asian communities.
4. Political participation:
In addition to their activities on the ground, some far-right groups have sought to gain political power through legitimate means, either by forming political parties or engaging with other parties. The British National Party, under leaders like John Tyndall and Nick Griffin, tried to gain political legitimacy by running in local and national elections, with a particular focus on issues like immigration, crime, and the European Union. In some cases, far-right activists infiltrated other political parties, such as the Conservative Party, to try to shift their policies towards more nationalist and anti-immigration stances. These radical political parties achieved limited electoral success in Britain, occasionally winning seats in local councils and the European Parliament. Their presence, although marginal, has forced other parties to address issues like immigration more vigorously.
5. Alternative media:
The British far-right has used its own media outlets to counterbalance mainstream media, which often portrays them negatively. This includes magazines, newspapers, and blogs. Publications like "Voice of Freedom," issued by the British National Party, provided far-right activists a platform to express their views on race, immigration, and national identity. These publications were often sold at gatherings, through mail, or in specific stores supporting far-right causes and practices. These media outlets played a crucial role in supporting far-right movements, especially before the rise of the internet.
A New-Old Approach
Recent estimates and literature tracking the British far-right's activities suggest that they have adopted new methods of engagement beyond traditional organizational structures and official hierarchies. These new methods prioritize riots and the manipulation of information dissemination. Applying this to recent events in Britain, we can see how the far-right exploited the tragic stabbing incident in Southport in the following ways:
1. Exploiting social media:
The British far-right used inciting content on social media platforms in an effective way to spread misinformation related to the current riots. By distorting facts and framing the riots as evidence of societal collapse due to immigration and multiculturalism, they amplified fears and anxieties among the British public. They promoted the false narrative that the attacker of the three girls was a Muslim asylum seeker named Ali Al-Shakati, who arrived in the UK on a boat across the English Channel. This narrative helped far-right groups recruit new supporters drawn to this misleading story, which quickly spread across numerous real and fake accounts. Known far-right figures like Tommy Robinson also contributed to the distortion of facts by spreading misinformation and inciting further confrontations involving far-right supporters.
2. Far-right groups as defenders and national identity:
Far-right groups portrayed the riots as a result of failed immigration policies and increasing multiculturalism, which they claim have eroded the fabric of British society. This can be understood in light of their attempts to present the far-right as the protector of traditional British values and the only political force willing to take a stand against the perceived threats posed by immigration.
3. Organizing and mobilizing through encrypted messaging channels:
Amid escalating violence, far-right groups turned to encrypted messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp to organize and coordinate their activities. These platforms provide a safer environment for planning and communication, allowing them to circumvent security measures and efforts to track far-right accounts on social media. These channels gave radical groups a tactical advantage, enabling them to rally supporters and direct them to specific locations to participate in protests or acts of violence.
4. Exploiting public fear and frustration:
Far-right elements exploited the fear and frustration of citizens in communities directly affected by the riots. By highlighting cases of violence and chaos, they sought to create a sense of crisis that only they are capable of addressing, they alleged on their social media accounts. This exploitation of fear has helped rally support among those who feel the British government is not doing enough to protect society. The far-right's ability to amplify and inflame these sentiments has increased division and polarization within society, which has, in turn, facilitated the promotion of its extremist agenda.
Potential Risks
The ongoing violence highlights several risks that may be associated with the form and mechanisms of far-right movements in the coming period. Some of the most prominent risks include:
1. Increased coordination:
Far-right groups are likely to continue developing more sophisticated methods for organizing and executing their activities, including enhanced coordination through encrypted communications, ongoing exploitation of social media, and collaboration with regional far-right networks. This will make their movements more effective and, therefore, harder to predict and counter.
2. Normalization of extremist discourse:
There is potential for far-right rhetoric to become more normalized in mainstream discourse if these radical groups gain more visibility and influence. This hinges on their ability to use social media and exploit political and social grievances to influence public opinion, creating a state of societal polarization where their ideologies become more widely accepted or integrated. Indeed, the far-right has already used the current unrest to position itself as a defender of "British identity" or as a reaction to the government's perceived inaction on issues like immigration.
3. Increased use of disinformation and propaganda:
It is also likely that far-right groups will continue to use disinformation and propaganda to manipulate public perception and stir up public discontent. This may include spreading false narratives, fake news, or conspiracy theories to amplify their message and mobilize supporters. Such tactics could undermine trust in British democratic institutions, fuel further division within society, and complicate the matter of addressing the root causes of extremism.
4. Enhancing far-right electoral appeal:
It is not unlikely that British far-right groups will attempt to capitalize on current events to mobilize a segment of British voters who feel marginalized or neglected by mainstream political parties. This could help radicals build a base in areas and cities opposed to the government's current policies on certain economic and social issues, potentially increasing their chances in the next general election.
In summary, the current violence in Britain reveals a shift in the tactics of the British far-right, as they are becoming more organized and influential. The UK's first-past-the-post voting system makes it difficult for many small parties to achieve positive election results, thus limiting them to building supportive bases. As a result of this hindrance, the recent unrest may indicate that the British far-right is forming a strategy of calculated and consistent movement over the next few years—similar to the approach taken by many European right-wing parties. By the time of the next general election, which is about five years away, British right-wing parties will have established a narrative that focuses explicitly on immigration and multiculturalism as threats to British cultural identity. This narrative, disseminated through social media tools, protests, and other methods, may resonate with a large segment of Britons if internal crises related to irregular migration escalate.
In this context, the British government, led by Keir Starmer, is likely to move to undermine the far-right's appeal and limit its ability to organize, mobilize, and spread within British communities. This could be achieved either by effectively addressing the issues driving its support, primarily immigration, or by launching strict and intensive security and social campaigns against far-right activities.
