Activism in Contemporary Extreme Right Parties: The Case of the British National Party (BNP)

Whilst the electoral performance of contemporary extreme right parties has generated much interest there are few studies of extreme right party activists. Focusing on the case of the British National Party (BNP) this article investigates who joins the extreme right and considers the motive for active participation. The study draws on qualitative life-history interviews with activists and analysis of internally-orientated party literature. Like its electorate, the BNP recruits much of its active support from older working-class males, though "types" of activist who are drawn to the party and who follow quite different routes into the extreme right are identified. In terms of the motive for activism, findings suggest the importance of ideological motives and collective incentives, in particular ethnic nationalist beliefs and a desire to defend the native in-group from perceived threats. In conclusion, the article raises implications for the study of extreme right parties and activism.