The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

What makes an EDL supporter tick?

A study of the far-right group has found that supporters are pessimistic about the UK's future.

By Samira Shackle Published 31 October 2011 18:04

Think of the English Defence League, and the image conjured up is probably violent marches populated by football hooligans. But according to a new report by Demos -- the first study of the group -- this is not necessarily the case.

In fact, only a small proportion of those who support the EDL have actually been on a march. Only a few thousand ever take to the streets, while closer to 30,000 "like" the group on Facebook. There are no formal membership procedures, as there are for the BNP, so those affiliated with the group are more varied than the general perception.

Perhaps the most important fact in the Demos report is that extremist Islam is not, in fact, the primary concern for the majority of EDL supporters. While the group's leaders claim that opposing fundamentalist Islam is its primary aim, 42 per cent of respondents cited immigration as their top concern, while just 31 per cent said Islamic extremism. On the other hand, 41 per cent said they joined the group because of their opposition to Islam. Anti-Muslim feeling is clearly a cornerstone of the group -- many of its street demonstrations have provocatively been held in predominantly Muslim areas -- but despite motivating membership, supporters do not think it is the most important issue in the UK.

In fact, supporters appear to be drawn to the EDL for the same reasons as people have always been attracted to far-right groups. Supporters are disproportionately likely to be unemployed. Among 24 to 65 year olds, 28 per cent of EDL supporters are unemployed, compared with the national average of 6 per cent. They are also deeply pessimistic about the future. Three-quarters of those interviewed for the report were under 30,and 81 per cent were male.

While the EDL has attempted to distance itself from other far-right groups, the survey found that the BNP is the political party with the most support, with 34 per cent of EDL supporters saying they vote for the party.

The report notes that while some supporters leveled abuse at all Muslims, others offered more nuanced criticisms, drawing a distinction between Muslims and extremists.

It recommends that the EDL should not be banned as an extremist group:

The EDL is not one-dimensional, and members' views are varied. The group is probably best described as a populist movement that contains some extreme right-wing and sometimes Islamophobic elements. Although there are some illiberal and intolerant sentiments voiced by some supporters in this survey (and at demonstrations), many members are in an important sense democrats. Allowing them to protest and demonstrate is an important way to ensure the group does not become more extreme.

It continues:

There is little doubt that the EDL contains some racist and openly anti-Islamic elements - but this is by no means true of all supporters. The task ahead is to engage with those who are sincere democrats, and isolate those who are not.

The reasoning makes sense; however, it is important not to overlook the more pernicious side of the EDL -- the violent marches in Bradford and Tower Hamlets -- simply because its informal network of supporters encompass a range of voices. Arbitrarily banning groups is never a good idea, but nor is inconsistency in the government's treatment of different types of extremist.

Tags: EDL

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56 comments

Mon, 2012-10-15 13:53 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

Mr Divine- is it truly you? What could have drawn you you make to this mad house?

Ah of course you've heard that your goddess Laurie Penny has been fired by the Independent and been welcomed back here just to upset me!

Mon, 2012-10-15 14:08 — trevor21

If you don't think muslim areas exsist you should come to my home town of Rochdale (yes that 'Rochdale) , there are areas where,if your stupid enough to walk around then,as a white person you will get a bloody good kicking. Also the political institutions in the town are over represented by muslims. Not a racist observation,simply fact. The two communities have absolutly no mutual contact whatsoever. My old home town is a sad and hopeless little place.

Thu, 2011-12-01 20:38 — Chris Lucas (not verified)

What makes a EDL supporter tick? That's easy. A person who is proud to be British and enjoys the British way of life, its laws and its culture and does not want that to change.

Mon, 2011-10-31 19:19 — Dan Ladds

The problem with the EDL is as soon as you critisise them, someone makes the argument:

"We just oppose sharia law, extremisim and homophobia/misogyny within Islam! Do you want sharia law?"

Problem is that despite those being their "official" beliefs, their ranks are filled with those who just don't like brown people. They also seem to like the cult of ultra-nationalism in what might be our form of "America - f**k yeah!"

Despite their claims to defend against the discriminatory beliefs embedded in conservative Islam, I don't see them joining up with gay rights or feminist movements; or do they oppose conservative Christianity which is just as prejudiced.

Mon, 2011-10-31 19:23 — dan bolton (not verified)

having trained in the armed forces,I became involved with the EDL ,as what i saw with the dirty rats who spat and abused our troops..this should never of been tolerated and it was a wake up call to brtish people that our weak politicians fear Islamist and the word racists used against them..labour are to blame for allowing islamists create segregation and try and implement their sharia laws..EDL are the only voice in this country which speaks the truth..and im glad to support them..would never ever ever vote labour again

Mon, 2011-10-31 19:40 — truesportsman (not verified)

Dan, you say that you trained with the armed forces - did you complete your training?

Mon, 2011-10-31 19:50 — David Sanderson (not verified)

I doubt if most of the EDL have read a book, have you ever seen the 'Muslamic ray guns' video? Or if many UAF supporters have had any bodily contact with soap, just look at the freaks they send out in minibuses, just throw a few bars of soap and library cards amongst the whole lot of them and let them figure it out.

Mon, 2011-10-31 20:13 — dan bolton (not verified)

true sportsman....I damaged my back training with the royal marines...I did not finish the training.....my family and friends are in the army and support them 100%..
its always the case with peoples comments that EDL get tarred down with drunks,hooligans and facists...I can honestly say I am none of the above and have been to 23 edl demos..I cant stand racist people nor can i stand poppy burners ,islamic extremist who spit at our hero troops..stab our MPS ,bomb our buses,trains and airports..

Mon, 2011-10-31 20:22 — Flashbuck (not verified)

When will The NS and other media stop using the term "Muslim areas", eh?

As far as the UK is concerned: There's no such thing as a so called moslem area. Fact!

Mon, 2011-10-31 20:23 — Coventry (not verified)

Well said dan,

I also support and attend EDL marches. All of these doo gooders and lefties need to wake up and live in the real world.

Observe the state of this country in 20 years time and people would have wished they acted against islamic extremism now.

Join the EDL and help defend it against the real facists as our ancesters have always done!!

No Surrender

Mon, 2011-10-31 20:26 — Flashbuck (not verified)

As far as racism is concerned, the anti-Jewish hamas supporting fascist left are far more racist than the EDL. Fact.

Likewise, as far as violence is concerned, the student demos were far more costly and far more violent than all the EDL marches put togther. And let's not forget how moslems & hope not hate supporters attacked a female in the East End recently.

Mon, 2011-10-31 20:35 — ElaineS (not verified)

Dan, My son has been out to Afghanistan twice and he certainly didn't join SDL when he returned. Yes there are those who don't want any troops there but there are many, many that do and my son says are humble, kind folk and definitely grateful for the troops presence. There's good and bad in every country....even the UK!

Mon, 2011-10-31 20:51 — Fraziel1

I think the EDL have some quite legitimate protests but I find myself in a bit a of a quandry. I agree totally with their views regarding pandering to Islamic immmigrants who come here yet seem to hate us and want our laws changed to suit them ( i can not imagine this happening in any other country), but on the other hand our troops helped murder thousands upon thousands of innocent men, women and children in Iraq and Afghanistan so I can understand and support people who want to protest about that.

Mon, 2011-10-31 20:57 — Freeman2

Fraziel1 - the Left would never have had your dilemma in the past: oppose religion (all religion) and oppose imperialism.

Mon, 2011-10-31 21:13 — dan bolton (not verified)

ELAINE S....good to hear your son is doing well ,EDL was formed when islamic extremists abused our troops and spat at them...the police and the governemnt did nothing ,same as the poppy burner ,a 50quid fine...what should The people of britian do ,shall we sit back like our weak lefties /politicians and do nothing...EDL highlights alot of problems that are government are too scared to tackle..Please Elaine dont read the bad press about EDL.we have muslims in our group..EDL are not racist...the only way you find the truth out about EDLS cause and thats to go on theses marches and chat with all the other people who are sick of islamic extremists..elaine under sharia laws women dont have a say...so please support people who are trying to do things for this country..

Mon, 2011-10-31 21:28 — John Walker (not verified)

The whole EDL Vs Anjem Choudary Vs UAF is just one giant staged pantomime and not actually true nationalism.

The question that should really be asked is who has let in 5 million Muslims to a previously homogeneous society like the UK to stir up divisions? Which other tribe might benefit from seeing us fight amongst each other?

Tue, 2011-11-01 21:23 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

@dan bolton: What are the policies of the EDL? How do they differ from mainstream parties? Obviously immigration is a key issue but what are your views/EDL's views on the topic?

Mon, 2011-10-31 21:35 — Flashbuck (not verified)

@Fraziel1 - "our troops helped murder thousands upon thousands of innocent men, women and children..."

Yawn.

Stop spouting spotty adolescent drivel. It's moslems who do most of the killing in Iraq & Afghanistan. Just as it was moslems who wiped Buddhism and Buddhists in Afghanistan, and the Jews in Baghdad, and just as they are now doing to the Copts in Egypt.

The coalition liberation forces removed a vile vicious dictator and brought democracy to Iraq, which we is now spreading right across the region.

In any case, what's Iraq got to do with the fact that our schoolchildren are force fed halal foodstuffs, and our public swimming pools impose apartheid by having moslem only swimming sessions, not to mention the sharia courts set up, and all the forced marriages and female genital mutilation, etc etc etc????

Mon, 2011-10-31 21:40 — Marcus Holmes (not verified)

@ John Walker

Indeed the EDL look to be only interested in furthering a twisted Zionist agenda...quite openly...which is why their numbers have dropped off considerably and their national demo in Birmingham at the weekend had dramatically smaller numbers. Few British people want solidarity with an apartheid nation like Israel.

The Muslims in the UK are simply being used as a tool against the indigenous White population to provoke conflict. The UK needs a true nationalist party to represent British people and provide a sensible humane resolution, not some Israeli puppet like the EDL.

Mon, 2011-10-31 21:47 — John Walker (not verified)

@Marcus Holmes

Yes Marcus I agree. The Muslims are not the real problem, but a group of people over represented in Media, Finance and Government do have responsibility for the engineering of the situation. These people need to be held fully accountable and justice served, which I am sure it will be in the next few years.

Mon, 2011-10-31 22:07 — Bob Miller (not verified)

The two brain cells in their head keep clashing...tick...tock...tick...tock

Mon, 2011-10-31 22:09 — mcquade

"EDL are the only voice in this country which speaks the truth..and im glad to support them..would never ever ever vote labour again"

Well we don't want your ignorant, ill-informed ilk anywhere near the Labour Party, Dan Bolton, so don't flatter yourself by believing your vote is missed.

Mon, 2011-10-31 22:22 — mcquade

"The coalition liberation forces removed a vile vicious dictator and brought democracy to Iraq, which we is now spreading right across the region."

Drivel-meister Flashbuck, what was that you were saying about drivel. Syria, an oppressive autocaracy, likewise Lebanon, Iran religious dictatorship and crushing of opposition parties, Saudi, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, oppressive monarchies, Egypt military junta.

Flashbuck, worthy winner of Monday's drivel gong.

Tue, 2011-11-01 22:09 — dan bolton (not verified)

mr divine..I have posted quite a few messages on this comment page,please read my concerns..I have been to 23 EDL demos,I follow them as they speak the truth unlike labour party and alot of other politicans who need to grow some balls ,politicians are fearful of the racist word used against them,when speaking about ethnics.EDL was formed when our soliders where spat on,I am not interested in immigration matters...I am against sharia laws in britian as they are not equality laws with women and bad news for gays or lesbians under sharia also..my friend works in saudi arabia and known of young girls of 12-13 married ...I hate paedophiles and i feel its right for EDL TO HIGHLIGHT this sick sharia laws thats wanted in britain,while our media,politicians are too afraid to speak out..its not racist to say sharia laws out of britian,its not racist to hate poppy burners,islamic extremists,paedophiles,its just common sense for everyone to say that no one would want the above in their towns and why are our government and police tolerating this sick behaviour thats going on under the name of islam..I am not a racist,just proud to be stood with the EDL supports while most of the country are fearful of speaking out .council officals told my neighbour to remove their pot ornament pigs off her window sill recently,as it offends the ethnics in the area...councils should of told the ethnics to stop being so pathetic and sensitive..it just a bloody ornament for crying out loud...

Mon, 2011-10-31 22:43 — A. Cole (not verified)

Samira

As an EDL supporter what has made me tick is the extent of Islamic extremism in the UK and the unwillingness of our politicians to address this.

Hope this is clear enough for you!

Mon, 2011-10-31 22:51 — Flashbuck (not verified)

@A. Cole - "...the extent of Islamic extremism..."

All Islam is extreme: there may be some moderate moslems but there's no moderate Islam. Fact!

Ed Bates United Shade of Britain's picture

Tue, 2011-11-01 22:20 — Ed Bates United Shade of Britain (not verified)

The University of Northampton published a report on the EDL earlier this year:

http://www.radicalism-new-media.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/The_EDL_B...

Mon, 2011-10-31 23:07 — Allen (not verified)

this country is a mess that's why we and the EDl happened, its only people like us that make a stand. Its about the colonisation of the UK. We started over halal being served to our children. and now we take a stand. Allen for the Indigenous Oppression League

Mon, 2011-10-31 23:25 — Fraziel1

Don't like it flasbuck then when people point out that approx 70000, yes thats 70000 innocent civilians have been killed by coalition troops? Not by iraqis or anyone else but by our troops who should not have been there in the first place. That's not to mention the tens of thousands of children who died in the first iraq war from leukaemia that was contracted from depleted uranium used in shells by coalition troops. Does not matter to you though does it as the people who died were not white. We have no right to go rampaging round the world murdering thousands of people and i will stop spouting " spotty adolescent drivel" when you give just the slightest inkling that you are not a misanthropic animal with a diseased soul and all the empathy of a concentration camp guard. And no, I am not a leftie . far from it.

Mon, 2011-10-31 23:30 — Fraziel1

You are kidding yourself on if you think that Iraq is a better place now and the fact Saddam was a scumbag still does not give us any right to invade. Why didnt we invade Serbia or croatia? Or why not Zimbabwe? how about iran? Oh yes, thats right. The Iranians are no Iraqis. They would probably kick the shit out of us and send us off with our tails between our legs

Mon, 2011-10-31 23:33 — david a (not verified)

the muslims made a big mistake insulting our brave troops

Mon, 2011-10-31 23:43 — Dickie1

"...28 per cent of EDL supporters are unemployed, compared with the national average of 6 per cent."

Bunch of losers. Fact!

Mon, 2011-10-31 23:47 — Julia Harris (not verified)

Fuk the EDL, there Pussy cats...this is the real shit below, every day, it'll increase here too if we dont talk about it...all the left wing media talks about is Gaza...

The moment man was publicly beheaded in a Saudi Arabian car park for being a 'sorcerer'

2011.10.31 (Kandahar, Afghanistan) - Suicide bombers kill three people outside a humanitarian aid office.
2011.10.30 (Ashkelon, Israel) - A 56-year-old father of four bleeds to death after Palestinians fire a rocket into an apartment building.
2011.10.29 (Kabul, Afghanistan) - Women and children are among the dead as suicide bombers target a NATO bus, killing at least seventeen.
2011.10.29 (Khalis, Iraq) - Jihadis take down a teenage girl riding in a family car.
2011.10.29 (Deli Abbas, Iraq) - Fundamentalists shoot a liquor store owner to death in his home.
2011.10.29 (Changa Manga, Pakistan) - Religious extremists are suspected of binding a local official and then burning him alive.

Wed, 2011-11-02 00:00 — Sir Michael (not verified)

Dan, read this.

http://www.cracked.com/article_18911_5-ridiculous-things-you-probably-be...

And stop being a bigoted prick.

Tue, 2011-11-01 00:08 — Flashbuck (not verified)

@Fraziel1 - "...70000 innocent civilians have been killed by coalition troops..."

You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. Fact!

Tue, 2011-11-01 01:35 — Guessedworker

So the EDL attracts attracts support from people who care that England remains English - not just in culture but ethnically.

This is natural, normal, perfectly moral, and completely ordinary. But I'm afraid the liberal-left mind just can't process the idea that English people would want their own land NOT to be colonised by Africans and Asians.

Something somewhere is very wrong here, and it isn't with the supporters of the EDL.

Tue, 2011-11-01 01:42 — truesportsman (not verified)

I genuinely feel pity for Dan and the other EDL supporters here. To have achieved nothing in your lives and to only have pride in the colour of your skin is a depressing state.

Tue, 2011-11-01 02:26 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

@dan bolton: What are the policies of the EDL? How do they differ from mainstream parties? Obviously immigration is a key issue but what are your views/EDL's views on the topic?

Tue, 2011-11-01 09:29 — swatantra (not verified)

Bin the Demos Report, more of a psychological-sociological excuse for the violent tendency of the ultra right, the disengaged the uninterested, and the unemployable.
And, ban the EDL and Chowdray's Islamofacists as well.

Wed, 2011-11-02 08:09 — dan bolton (not verified)

sir michael..you truly are a left wing blind man..you hate the truth and thats why this country is in such a mess ...that crap website you give me is a fabricated ...ive told you ive been to 23 demos and learnt about huge paedophile prOblems ,in rochdale ,blackpool ,telford etc etc,preachers of hate in some mosques,terrorists across britain,WHY ? TRY AND FORCE EDL NOT TO STAND UP TO A THREAT TO OUR CULTURE/CHILDREN,AND COUNTRY...i CANT STAND LEFT WING LIES OR WEAK MINDED POLITICIANS....LOL,IT WONT BE LONG BEFORE YOU CHUCK RACE CARD AT ME..SIR MICHAEL CALL YOURSELF BLIND MICHAEL MAY SUIT YOU MORE...

Wed, 2011-11-02 08:19 — AA (not verified)

The middle class's first comment is to make negative points about edl supporters. Why? They think themselves superior the the lowly working class workers who are stupid and uneducated. Well they are entitled to their opinion just as I am entitled to mine about Muslims. The only difference the working class are British and share the same western values. Yet the middle class support a muslim ideology whose aim is to destroy the west. The problem is for years these so called intellectuals/educated have been told to be PC at all cost. They have no other way of thinking. They are like robots. They live in fear of free thoughts. Bunch of ass holes. I do hope the muslimes move next to your lovely middle class area and build a mosque. let's see how long it takes for you to complain you bunch of spinless ......

Wed, 2011-11-02 08:57 — Lee Jay (not verified)

I am socialist, children are mixed (English/Japanese) and I support many aspects of the EDL.

Islamic Sharia law supports killing apostates, killing homosexuals, inequality of women in law, inequality of non-Muslims in law, chopping hands and feet off for petty crimes and so on.

Afghanistan once was Buddhist and Hindu but the sword of Islam, demography, dhimmitude, slavery, pogroms and so forth changed everything.

What do you think will happen when the Islamic population reaches 15% and 20% and then higher?

Muslim minorities like the Ahmadiyya, Alevi, and others, also fear the growth of radical Sunni Islam.

It is complex but Islamists have an agenda and either you fight back against this agenda or in time the tide will turn and then too late.

Tue, 2011-11-01 12:46 — EnragedBrit (not verified)

I found the survey quite interesting. I had no idea, for instance, that a third of EDL members had a university or college education. So they're obviously not all "knuckledraggers," then.
BTW - as they have Sikh, Jewish, gay and black members, the EDL cannot be dismissed as just another "racist" or "homophobic" organisation.

Tue, 2011-11-01 14:08 — jankaas (not verified)

just in case any EDL supporters read this blog; i am a foreign national, married one of your english women, have diluted her english bloodline by having 2 children with her, and have taken work away from english nationals. no need to thank me.

Tue, 2011-11-01 14:25 — Ian5

@Fraziel1; try taking off the blinkers, maybe 7000 civilians have been killed, but what about the 3000-5000 , your hero Saddam killed in Halabja, then the 1,000,000 plus from the Iran Iraq war. Where was this united Muslim front in Bosnia? Were Pakistan ,Saudi etc dashing to the front..NO. At least the coalition forces try to avoid these deaths, Muslim extremists don't care who they car bomb. Muslims are killing Muslims on a daily basis.

If Muslims had not insulted our troops in Luton, or burnt poppies on Remembrance Sunday, these people would have no raison d'etre.

The maybe our UAF friends could find time to attack these fascist Muslim groups.

If Muslims want wide support , then its time for them to support others. No Koran burnings,,,then no poppy burnings. Respect for their women , then respect for ours, and no they don't before you start your bleating. The list is long.

Tue, 2011-11-01 15:16 — dan bolton (not verified)

sportsmen...I dont want you feel pity for any EDL supporters..EDL know where their heart is and thats whats important,. left wing and uaf brush problems under the carpet and are fearful of the racist card if they voiced out about poppy burners ,flag burners,terrorists ,etc etc..I was in birmingham at EDL demo and great to see muslims ,blacks stood proud with us...I cant understand why we still get called far right,and nazis...i mentioned in my previous messages,I cant stand racists or islamic extremists or what sharia laws mean to women or gays/lesbians etc..

Thu, 2011-11-03 13:51 — Dave kent (not verified)

I support fully what the EDL are bringing to our attention. islam is a real threat to our freedom and that includes freedom of religion because it is a 'closed religion' it thinks its the only true religion, nothing new there, most religions do. when anyone attempts to question the faith as to be met with hatred and murder and anyone is not a muslim is a lesser one, the receipe for disaster wherever it may be.

Fri, 2011-11-04 19:52 — dan bolton (not verified)

i was hoping i would have been abused and labelled racist by the lefties who had commented on all my messages...they seem to have left me alone sulking as ive told the truth and they cant handle it..well done everyone who agree with EDLs causes..the black tory councillor who got suspended for attending an EDL demo has now been reinstated..like ive told everyone in my messages you only find the truth by going to the demos, and not listening to the blind left wingers and media...well done EDL AND PEOPLE WHO like our views on protecting our country and culture

Tue, 2011-11-01 16:03 — A. Cole (not verified)

Interesting how the UAF never protest against Islamic extremism. This puts their crusade of hypocrisy into some context!

Tue, 2011-11-01 16:27 — ADW (not verified)

One thing I note in many of the anti EDL posts on here is that rather than choosing a legitimate argument they focus on negatively stereotyping the EDL. In some cases moving stereotyping in to open insults that, if they were aimed at any other group, would be unacceptable. Why is that?