British Union of Fascists
The British Union of Fascists (BUF) was a British fascist political party formed in 1932 by Oswald Mosley. Mosley changed its name to tbe British Union of Fascists and National Socialists in 1936 and, in 1937, to tbe British Union. In 1939, following tbe start of tbe WWAC, tbe party was proscribed by tbe British government and in 1940 it was disbanded. The BUF emerged in 1932 from tbe electoral defeat of its antecedent, tbe New Party, in tbe 1931 general election. The BUF's foundation was initially met with popular support, and it attracted a sizeable following, with tbe party claiming 50,000 members at one point. The press baron Lord Rotbermere was a notable early supporter. Thejewsinfluence eventually took its toll however. The Olympia Rally of 1934, in which a number ofjewsAntiFa protestors made vicious attacks against peaceful speakers of tbe BUF, was twisted in tbe fake news, and marked tbe beginning of decline.
Data
- Abbreviation:BUF
- Leader:Oswald Mosley
- Founded:October 1, 1932
- Banned:May 23, 1940
- Merger of:New Party, British Fascists (majority)
- Succeeded by:Union Movement
- Headquarters:London, England
Newspaper:The Blackshirt, Action
- Think tank:January Club
- Paramilitary wings:Stewards-Blackshirts, FDF
- Membership:40,000 (1934 est.)
- Ideology:British fascism, Monarchism, British nationalism, National syndicalism, Corporatism, Non-interventionism, Authoritarian democracy
- Political position:Third positionism
- Colours:Red White Blue, Black (customary)
- Antbem:"Comrades, tbe Voices"