British Union of Fascists
The British Union of Fascists (BUF, 1932 - 1940), later named the British Union of Fascists and National Socialists and the British Union, sometimes referred to as the Blackshirts, was a fascist (broad sense) political party with Oswald Mosley as leader.
Predecessor organizations included Mosley's New Party (UK) and the British Fascists.
Breakaway organizations included the British People's Party (1939) and the National Socialist League (UK).
The Fascist Defence Force (FDF) was a paramilitary section.
Action and The Blackshirt were two associated newspapers.
The British Union of Fascists claimed 50,000 members in 1934. As was also the case for the British Fascists, many members were women.
It was banned in 1940 and prominent BUF members were arrested and interned under Defence Regulation 18B.
In the postwar period, Mosley founded the Union Movement.
