Inside the EDL

The English Defence League (EDL) is the newest and biggest right-wing street movement in a generation. Since it was founded in 2009 the EDL has rarely been out of the news.

But the group itself remains a mystery. This is because the EDL epitomises a new type of organisation, one which operates both off and online. As such, it has no joining procedure or formal membership list. Much of its activity – recruitment, organising, proselytising – takes place on-line.  Its ideology is unclear. Although leaders of the group have presented themselves being a pluralistic, liberal movement that is fighting extremism, chants heard at demonstrations and the vitriol posted on the EDL’s own chat forum suggest otherwise.

This makes the EDL complex and amorphous.  The obscurity surrounding the group has led to serious errors of judgment from commentators and policy makers.

Demos is currently undertaking detailed research into the EDL, to ensure any response is based on objective, empirical evidence and not rhetoric. The paper will be released later this year.

For more information contact Jamie Bartlett.