The Rise of the Right : English Nationalism and the Transformation of Working-Class Politics

One of the biggest political stories of the past few decades in the United Kingdom and elsewhere has been the growing divide between the working class and the mainstream liberal left, which historically has spoken for them. This book offers a close analysis of that phenomenon by showing how the political scene looks to underemployed white men who have seen their standards of living fall in recent years even as their communities have fractured around them. Rather than cast aspersions or mount arguments about the larger success of society as a whole, The Rise of the Right takes these men and their concerns seriously, showing where their opinions are factually wrong but arguing powerfully that liberal politics must find a way of acknowledging and addressing their legitimate fears and frustrations. Reviews Universal Siblinghood "The achievement of this book that it is prepared to make a case for such a vision from within the horizons of one of the most cramped, defensive, melancholic, and self-destructive corners of the working class landscape." Sputnik News “The rise of the far-right is not inevitable, neither is it irreversible. But the left is doomed unless it campaigns on bread-and-butter working-class issues and makes a clean break with elite-friendly neoliberalism. If Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hasn't ordered a copy of Rise of the Right yet, then I recommend he does so very quickly.” Neil Clark, journalist “In their brilliantly researched work, the authors show what a disaster the ‘mainstream’ left’s embrace of liberalism has been for traditional working-class communities.” Elaine Campbell, Newcastle University “Compelling reading. . . . A provocative, invigorating, and critical analysis of contemporary political landscapes where simplistic left/right distinctions no longer apply.” Lisa Mckenzie, London School of Economics and Political Science, author of “Getting By” “An honest book that critiques, questions, and debates the relationship between an unfair neoliberal society, working-class people, and the rise of the right.” Danny Dorling, University of Oxford, author of “Injustice” “A fast(er) moving, novel take on how New Labour and the liberal left media created the circumstances in which the English Defense League would grow and of how the UK Independence Party and the English Defense League are linked.” Steve Redhead, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia “This brilliant book shows why the downfall of the left is a post-global financial crisis and post-Brexit condition which, without action, could become permanent.” Mark Carrigan, digital fellow, Sociological Review “An unapologetically bleak account of contemporary Britain, cutting angrily and incisively through the thickets of liberal dogma. Essential reading.” The shock Brexit result highlighted a worrying trend: underemployed white men and women who have seen their standard of living fall, their communities disintegrate and their sense of value, function and inclusion diminish, desperately want a mainstream political party to defend their interests. However, no such party exists. These men and women cannot connect their declining fortunes and growing frustrations to their true cause. Instead, immigrants are scapegoated and groups like the English Defence League (EDL) emerge. This book is the first to offer an accessible and uncompromising look at the EDL. It aims to alter thinking about working-class politics and the rise of right-wing nationalism in the de-industrialised and decaying towns and cities of England. The rise of the right among the working class, the authors claim, is inextricably connected to the withdrawal of the political left from traditional working-class communities, and the left's refusal to advance the economic interests of those who have suffered most from neoliberal economic restructuring. Incisive, contentious and boundary-breaking, it uses the voices of men and women who now support far-right political groups to address the total failure of mainstream parliamentary politics and the rising tide of frustration, resentment and anger. This Book Is The First To Offer An Accessible And Uncompromising Look At The English Defence League (edl). It Aims To Alter Thinking About Working-class Politics And The Rise Of Right-wing Nationalism In The De-industrialised And Decaying Towns And Cities Of England. The Rise Of The Right Among The Working Class, The Authors Claim, Is Inextricably Connected To The Withdrawal Of The Political Left From Traditional Working-class Communities, And The Left's Refusal To Advance The Economic Interests Of Those Who Have Suffered Most From Neoliberal Economic Restructuring. Incisive, Contentious And Boundary-breaking, It Uses The Voices Of Men And Women Who Now Support Far-right Political Groups To Address The Total Failure Of Mainstream Parliamentary Politics And The Rising Tide Of Frustration, Resentment And Anger. Simon Winlow, Steve Hall And James Treadwell. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. one Introduction 1 two Dead politics 17 three The fickle parent 45 four Redundant 75 five The hated ‘centre’ 109 six The scapegoat 153 seven Mourning and melancholia 171 eight Conclusion: Begin from the beginning 187 Postscript: Brexit 197 References 209 Index 215 This book is the first to offer an uncompromising look at the English Defence League (EDL), aiming to alter thinking about working-class politics and the rise of right-wing nationalism in de-industrialised English towns and cities.