English Defense League

Looks like the right is on the rise throughout the UK again, most worrying is the EDL who have amassed significant support in the year since their inception.

The Guardian have this disturbing clip of their violent tactics and overt racism.

Often this kind of right-wing backlash follows periods of economic uncertainty but this level of organisation, ignorance, violence and specifically anti-islamic agenda could continue to grow at an unchecked rate.

One wonders how the EDL will fare looking for trouble in the non-English cities of Edinburgh and Cardiff where anti-English sentiment often outstrips any other hate.

Hi Dr Gonzo, welcome to the boards!

I think you're correct - btw I'm an expat from lancs living in Canada.

I would expect this coalition to sweep any of these topics under the carpet, especially as they had such divergent policies going in to the election. I can also see these organisations gaining popularity and getting a greater amount of legitimacy. But at the same time when they are so blatantly causing trouble and breaking the law, violent clashes with the police are inevitable and serve as a rallying cry to other disaffected morons. I would even hazard that many of the police would probably join up given the chance...

I know the BNP have allowed for some level of discussion (which has invariably ended in mockery and dismissal by most) but the EDL don't seem keen to talk about it beyond having random skinheads monosyllaballically hating on the "pakis".

The fact that it's also come to include football hooligans and the like means that it's only a matter of time until some people get killed.

This is a terrorist organisation that espouses a hate crime agenda, what's the point in draconian anti-terror laws if they are only used to hassle non-whites?