The Bases of National Front Support

Abstract

The National Front (NF) is of interest both to students of British politics and to political sociologists interested in the general study of contemporary right-wing movements. This article examines the extent of public sympathy for the NF and identifies factors distinguishing NF voters from the rest of the adult population. Analysis of twenty-two national surveys shows that less than 1 per cent of the adult population aged fifteen or older are prepared to say that they intend to vote for the NF, although about 5 per cent can be assessed as potential NF voters and about another 10 per cent are sympathetic to the party. NF voting is located disproportionately among younger working-class males living in London and the West Midlands.