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| For Britain Movement | |
|---|---|
| Name | For Britain Movement |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Dissolved | 2022 |
| Position | Far-right |
| Seats1 title | Local government |
| Country | United Kingdom |
For Britain Movement was a British political organisation formed in 2017 and dissolved in 2022 that operated on the far-right of the United Kingdom political landscape. It emerged from a split with an established nationalist party and contested local and national elections, attracting attention from media, civil society organisations, and law enforcement. The group featured in debates involving immigration policy, counter-extremism, and freedom of association, drawing criticism from major political parties, human rights groups, and faith organisations.
The group was founded in 2017 after a high-profile split from United Kingdom Independence Party dissidents and former members of British National Party circles who disagreed with leadership decisions. Early activities included campaigning in the 2017 general election and participating in the 2018 and 2019 local contests in areas such as Newcastle upon Tyne, Leicester, and Birmingham. Its formation coincided with the aftermath of the 2016 Brexit referendum and debates over the London Bridge attack security response. The movement’s trajectory intersected with anti-establishment currents evident in events like the 2019 European Parliament elections and the 2017 United Kingdom general election, before formally ceasing operation in 2022 amid leadership departures and organisational fragmentation.
The organisation espoused a platform combining opposition to mass immigration, scepticism towards multiculturalism, and a vocal stance on national identity, aligning with themes common to National Front-era rhetoric and contemporary European far-right parties such as National Rally (France) and Alternative for Germany. Policy proposals emphasised stricter border controls, critiques of European Union institutions, and calls for tougher responses to Islamist extremism referenced in debates after incidents like the Manchester Arena bombing. The group's social agenda included traditionalist positions on family policy and law-and-order measures echoing proposals in discussions around the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. Economic statements sometimes referenced protectionist positions similar to those of UKIP in the 2010s and selective support for welfare redistribution favouring long-term residents.
Leadership included former members of nationalist and Eurosceptic organisations and figures previously associated with UKIP and British National Party. The internal structure comprised a leader, regional organisers, and local candidates who stood in council and parliamentary elections in constituencies such as Haringey, Oldham, and Bradford. The movement maintained ties with grassroots campaign networks and independent activists who had previously worked with groups like Streetwise and various local defence campaign committees. Relations with established organisations were strained; major parties including Conservative Party (UK), Labour Party (UK), and Liberal Democrats (UK) publicly repudiated cooperation.
Electoral activity focused on local council seats and a modest number of parliamentary candidacies in the 2017 and 2019 general elections and several by-elections. Vote shares were generally low, with isolated local council successes failing to translate into sustained representation comparable to British National Party gains of the 2000s or the breakthrough of Reform UK-aligned candidates in other periods. Performance was discussed in the context of shifts seen in the 2019 European Parliament elections and the 2017 general election, where small parties contested seats in urban areas including Tower Hamlets and Sheffield. Electoral setbacks, defections, and loss deposits contributed to organisational decline prior to dissolution.
The movement attracted scrutiny from civil society organisations such as Hope Not Hate and Community Security Trust for alleged links to extremist individuals and rhetoric. Media outlets including BBC News and The Guardian reported on incidents involving candidates with histories of inflammatory statements, leading to police inquiries in some localities and investigations under public order provisions. Faith groups including representatives from Board of Deputies of British Jews and Muslim community organisations criticised its stances, drawing comparisons to historical far-right organisations like the National Front (UK). Trade unions such as Unite the Union and human rights NGOs invoked legal and ethical concerns about discrimination and public safety.
Support came from fringe nationalist activists, local campaigners opposed to specific development projects, and individuals disaffected with mainstream parties including former UKIP members. Internationally, sympathisers included small networks aligned with European parties such as Identitarian movement activists and commentators associated with publications sympathetic to parties like Alternative for Germany and National Rally (France). The movement also engaged with online platforms and message boards frequented by supporters of Tommy Robinson-adjacent networks and critics of the European Union. Formal alliances with established political parties were largely absent due to widespread repudiation by mainstream organisations.
Category:Far-right political parties in the United Kingdom Category:Political parties established in 2017 Category:Political parties disestablished in 2022