VICE ARTICLE - "FASCISTS FOUGHT EACH OTHER IN ROTHERHAM ON SATURDAY" CASE STUDY

VICE SEPTEMBER 15TH 2014 - "FASCISTS FOUGHT EACH OTHER IN ROTHERHAM ON SATURDAY"

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/edl-rotherham-sex-abuse-scandal-simon-childs-jake-lewis-2014-837

This article illustrates the current and divisive struggle the UK is facing when it comes to pseudo-pressure groups/political parties and their influence of power and public opinions. The EDL marched on 13th September against the report made by Alexis Jay who stated that between the years of 1997 and 2013, 1400 children had been sexually abused by (mainly) men from a Pakistani heritage.
In this article, VICE successfully sum up how incising yet foolish it is to follow the EDL and the National Front, but it also highlights people's perceptions on political parties. A quote that stood out for me stated "I wouldn't like to see a UKIP council, put it that way" from a Labour party activist. I'll let you decide for yourself what this person was intending to say.
Overall, this case study is good to use alongside modern-day fascism in Britain, which is hard for students to do as it is not seen in a supposedly "democratic" country that prides itself on its pluralist system. Although the EDL are not a political party, they have a far-right ideological aim which is to spread the message of the horrors of "Islamaphication" or whatever. The EDL would be a good case study to mention when it comes to charisma and the need for a strong leader - many of the young in Britain (particularly in the North) feel that the EDL is a place for them as no one is listening to them - which connects with the fascist ideology found in the early 20th century.
HOWEVER it is important to remember that the EDL is not a political party, and when best it is always good to state Golden Dawn of Greece or the stability that far-right groups find in Italy and France.