British Union of Fascists

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The British Union of Fascists (BUF) was a British fascist political party formed in 1932 by Oswald Mosley. Mosley changed its name to the British Union of Fascists and National Socialists in 1936 and, in 1937, to the British Union. In 1939, following the start of the WWAC, the party was proscribed by the British government and in 1940 it was disbanded. The BUF emerged in 1932 from the electoral defeat of its antecedent, the New Party, in the 1931 general election. The BUF's foundation was initially met with popular support, and it attracted a sizeable following, with the party claiming 50,000 members at one point. The press baron Lord Rothermere 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 the BUF, was twisted in the fake news, and marked the 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)

• Anthem:"Comrades, the Voices"