League of Saint George
| League of Saint George | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Existence | 1974—present | ||
| Type | activist group | ||
| Purpose | Nationalist organisation which promotes the concept of Europe a Nation. | ||
| Location | United Kingdom | ||
| Affiliation | Union Movement (Break-away) | ||
| Leader | Keith Thompson | ||
The League of Saint George was formed in 1974 by Keith Thompson and Mike Griffin who were former members of Sir Oswald Mosley’s post war Union Movement.
History
In the 1970s the League became a political home for the more intellectual adherents of National Socialist ideology, particularly those who, looking back to the pan-European Waffen-SS, wanted a united Europe and a continuation of Mosley's Europe a Nation policy. Alongside this the League also followed Mosley's lead in endorsing Irish republicanism, something of a change from their contemporaries in the British nationalist movement who reserved their support for Ulster loyalism.[1]
The League was never intended to be a political party, but more of a social, intellectual, and cultural organization, albeit with the ultimate political aim of promoting European people and their culture. Intended as an exclusive club for what were seen as the leading minds of nationalism in Britain, its membership tended to be restricted to around 50–100 members.[2] The group often had a torrid relationship with the local nationalist parties, and indeed the National Front barred its members from joining the League in 1977.[3]
International contacts
Adopting the emblem of the Arrow Cross, the League sought to forge links with like-minded groups in Europe, and took part in international rallies at Diksmuide in Belgium, where they forged links with the Vlaamse Militanten Orde and the National States' Rights Party.[4] Eschewing the route of electoral politics, the League instead sought to set itself up as an umbrella group for National Socialists of any affiliation, although the League did work closely with first the British Movement and then the British National Party when it was founded (with Thomspon and John Graeme Wood attending the party's inaugural meeting whilst claiming to speak for the League).[5]
Steve Brady, a former activist in the short-lived National Party (and who retained close links to the Ulster Defence Association despite the League's avowed support for Irish republicanism), was appointed International Liaison Officer in 1978 and helped to oversee the development of links with groups internationally such as the Faisceaux Nationalistes Européens of France, founded by Mark Fredriksen, and Italy's Nuclei Armati Rivoluzionari (NAR).[6] The group also gained support in South Africa amongst some leading supporters of the Herstigte Nasionale Party who were responsible for funding the League during the early 1980s.[7]
The League is affiliated with Steven Books which offers publications on British and European nationalism.
See also
External links
References
- ↑ Hill & Bell, The Other Face of Terror, p. 185.
- ↑ Glyn Ford, European Parliament Committee of Inquiry on Racism and Xenophobia - Report on the Findings of the Inquiry, 2.12.27
- ↑ S. Taylor, The National Front in English Politics, London: Macmillan, 1982, p. 100.
- ↑ Hill & Bell, The Other Face of Terror, pp. 195–6.
- ↑ Hill & Bell, The Other Face of Terror, pp. 165–6.
- ↑ Hill & Bell, The Other Face of Terror, pp. 185–9.
- ↑ Hill & Bell, The Other Face of Terror, pp. 255–6.
