Britain First

{{bronze}}
[[File:Paul Golding.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Paul Golding in 2014]]{{UKpolitics}}{{Fascism}}{{cquote|... where there's a mosque, there are Muslims.|||Jayda Fransen showing off her expertise.<ref>''We Want Our Country Back'', [https://youtu.be/byRGsYJAPPA?t=326 5:26]</ref>}}
'''Britain First''' is a [[far-right]],<ref name="independent">{{cite news | work = The Independent   | title = [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/far-right-extremist-group-britain-first-threatens-to-arrest-islamist-cleric-anjem-choudary-8634812.html Far right extremist group Britain First threatens to arrest Islamist cleric Anjem Choudary] | first = Paul | last = Gallagher | date = 28 May 2013 |accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Adam |last=Bienkov |title= [http://www.politics.co.uk/news/2014/06/19/britain-first-the-violent-new-face-of-british-fascism Britain First: The violent new face of British fascism] |date=19 June 2014 |website=politic.co.uk }}</ref><ref name="far-right">{{cite news | work = [[The Daily Telegraph]] | title = [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10789891/Electoral-Commission-sorry-for-extremist-party-use-of-Lee-Rigby-slogan.html Electoral Commission sorry for extremist party use of Lee Rigby slogan] | date = 26 April 2014}}</ref><ref name=four>{{cite news|title= [http://www.channel4.com/news/britain-first-far-right-anti-muslim-extremists-mosques Britain First: inside the extremist group targeting mosques]|work=Channel 4 News|date=19 June 2014}}</ref><ref name="ibt">{{cite news | work= International Business Times | title = [http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/who-are-britain-first-far-right-party-invading-mosques-1449289 Who are Britain First? The Far-Right Party 'Invading' Mosques] | first = Ewan | last = Palmer | date = 20 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="times">{{cite news | work = Sunday Times | title = [http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/article1414751.ece Far right invades mosques to hand out Bibles] | first = Dipesh | last = Gadher | date = 25 May 2014}}</ref> [[fascist]],<ref name="Adam Bienkov">{{cite web|title=[http://www.politics.co.uk/news/2014/06/19/britain-first-the-violent-new-face-of-british-fascism Britain First: The violent new face of British fascism]|author=Adam Bienkov|work=politics.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="Telegraph.co.uk">{{cite web|title=[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/11207973/The-loathsome-Britain-First-are-trying-to-hijack-the-poppy-dont-let-them.html The loathsome Britain First are trying to hijack the poppy – don't let them]|date=4 November 2014|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref><ref name="Lamiat Sabin">{{cite web|title=[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/fascist-group-britain-first-to-start-direct-action-on-mail-and-sun-journalists-over-lynda-post-9817774.html 'Fascist' group Britain First to start 'direct action' on Mail and Sun journalists over Lynda Bellingham post]|author=Lamiat Sabin|date=25 October 2014|work=The Independent}}</ref> and British [[nationalist]]<ref name=bn>{{cite web|title=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131223191446/http://www.britainfirst.org/about-us/ Britain First: A Future For British Children]|publisher=Britainfirst.org}} Archived 23 December 2013.</ref> set of paramilitary thugs masquerading as a political party. They were formed in 2011 by former members of the equally racist and fascist [[British National Party]].<ref name="ibt"/> The party was founded by a former BNP councillor and member of the [[National Front]] Paul Golding and [[Jim Dowson]], an [[Pro-life|anti-abortion]] campaigner linked to Ulster loyalist militants.<ref name="independent"/> Golding led the party until 2016, when Deputy Leader Jayda Fransen took over the reins of leadership, in the aftermath of the [[Brexit#Jo Cox assassination|murder of Jo Cox]] and under suspicious circumstances.<ref>Gable, Gerry (1 December 2016). [http://www.searchlightmagazine.com/2016/12/more-questions-than-answers-a-searchlight-investigation/ "More questions than answers: a Searchlight investigation"]. ''Searchlight''. Retrieved 7 December 2016.</ref>

The party's followers are known as "Biffers" by their opponents,<ref>[http://archive.is/Bicfa Use] on ExposingBF blog. Use by [[HOPE not hate]] national co-ordinator Matthew Collins is also [http://archive.is/XbEBJ quoted] on their own website in a diatribe against the commie BBC muslamics.</ref> similar to how [[UKIP]]'s followers are known as 
racist xenophobes
 "Kippers".<ref>Stamp, Gavin. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34363071 "UKIP conference: What 'kippers' think about EU vote"], ''[[BBC|BBC News]]'', 25 September 2015. Accessed 22 January 2016.</ref>

Britain First campaigns primarily against immigration, [[multiculturalism]], and what it sees as the [[Islamism|Islamisation]] of the [[United Kingdom]], and advocates the preservation of traditional British culture, looking back on the [[good old days]] when outright racism and [[segregation]] was more acceptable. The group is inspired by Ulster loyalism and has a [[vigilante]] wing called the "Britain First Defence Force". It attracted attention by taking [[direct action]] such as protests outside the homes of alleged Islamists, as well as what it describes as "Christian patrols"<ref group=note>[[Spiritual warfare|Whatever]] those of us unfortunate enough to be living in the [[Bible Belt]] may be thinking of, [[Whacker|this is]] [[Extrajudicial punishment|probably]] [[Hate crime|worse]].</ref> and "invasions" of British mosques,<ref name="ibt"/><ref name="times"/> and has been noted for its online activism.<ref name=trending/> It has contested elections to the {{wpl|House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons|,}} the {{wpl|European Parliament||,}} and the {{wpl|Mayor of London|mayoralty of London|,}} but has not held any elected posts.

On June 16th 2016, a man shouting "Britain First" shot Labour Party MP Jo Cox, who died soon after. Cox had expressed support for both Syrian refugees and the remain campaign in [[Brexit|the EU referendum]].<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/16/labour-mp-jo-cox-shot-in-leeds-witnesses-report/ "Labour MP Jo Cox dies after being shot and stabbed as husband urges people to 'fight against the hate' that killed her"]. ''The Daily Telegraph''. Retrieved on 30 June 2016.</ref>

==History of the term==
[[File:BF RALLY POSTER.jpg|thumb|left|Poster advertising [[Oswald Mosley|Mosley]]'s "Britain First Rally" in favour of building a [[fascist]] state in Britain.]]
[[File:Britain first blackshirt.PNG|thumb|From ''The Blackshirt''. Different enemies, same rhetoric.]]
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The term "Britain First" was used prominently by [[Oswald Mosley]] and the [[British Union of Fascists]] in Mosley's "Britain First Rally" in 1939, saying that: "This is a demonstration of 'Britain First' and, therefore, is a demonstration of world peace."<ref group=note>As [[Sarcasm|sure as we are of the 
Nazi-sympathising
 peaceful intentions]] of this letter, we [[World War II|know what happens next]]...<br />Full speech of rally [http://archive.is/JENlx available online]. Accessed 23 January 2015</ref> It also featured in the masthead of ''The Blackshirt'', a newspaper produced by the Union, and nabbed by the {{wpl|America First Committee|America First Committee,}} headed by {{wpl|Charles Lindbergh|Charles Lindbergh,}}<ref name=Lff>Barnett, Adam. [http://leftfootforward.org/2015/10/britain-first-telegraph-recycles-fascist-slogan-with-terrible-history/ "'Britain First': Telegraph recycles fascist slogan with terrible history"] ''Left Foot Forward''. Accessed 23 January 2016.</ref> and more recently by [[Donald Trump]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-36152947 "US election 2016: Trump details 'America First' foreign plan"]. ''BBC News''. 27 April 2016.</ref> Additionally, the BNP website uses the phrase extensively,<ref>[https://www.google.co.uk/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=za2nVvD9Ku7H8gecuKmgDw#q=%22Britain+First%22+site:BNP.org.uk "Britain First" used on BNP official website], via [[Google]].</ref> and the openly [[neo-Nazi]] {{wpl|November 9th Society}} ran under the name "British First Party" until 2010. In 2016, the [[neo-Nazi]] National Alliance member [[Thomas Mair]] killed Labour MP Jo Cox – the first MP to be assassinated in public office since 1990<ref>Siddique, Haroon (16 June 2016). [https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/16/jo-cox-attack-latest-serious-assault-mps "MPs who have been attacked while in office"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''. Retrieved 17 June 2016.</ref> – after shouting "put Britain first" or "Britain first".<ref>Hatewatch Staff. [https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2016/06/16/alleged-killer-british-mp-was-longtime-supporter-neo-nazi-national-alliance "Thomas Mair, alleged killer of British MP Jo Cox, was a longtime supporter of the neo-Nazi National Alliance."] ''[[Southern Poverty Law Center]]''. 16 June 2016.</ref> Golding was quick to denounce the attackers, unironically saying that you shouldn't judge a group of people by the violence of one man. Needless to say, most people saw the hypocrisy in this defence.<ref>Bartlett, Evan. [http://indy100.independent.co.uk/article/britain-first-angry-entire-group-being-tarnished-by-one-man-fail-to-see-the-irony--bylAyAGqI4Z "Britain First angry entire group being tarnished by one man, fail to see the irony"]. ''indy100'' ([[The Independent]]). 17 June 2016.</ref>

Although the phrase has been used in more moderate [[right wing]] circles<ref group=note>Granted, not clamoring for foreigners' heads to be mounted on pikes isn't a very high bar to clear…</ref> — in 1970 by [[Edward Heath]] discussing British foreign policy goals,<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y7EiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PrMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3028%2C4330302 "'Britain First' policy outlined"], ''The Times'', 14 December 1970.</ref> the 2010 Conservative document for a {{wpl|proposed British Bill of Rights}} claiming to "put Britain first"<ref>[https://www.conservatives.com/~/media/files/downloadable%20Files/human_rights.pdf "Protecting Human Rights in the United Kingdom"], accessed 23 January 2016. (PDF)</ref> and [[David Cameron]] talking about controls on immigration<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28537663 "Cameron outlines immigration curbs 'to put Britain first'"], ''[[BBC|BBC News]]'', 29 July 2014. Accessed 26 January 2016.</ref> — the use of this phrase in a headline by ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' was criticised by Adam Barnett of ''Left Foot Forward'' as [[Dog whistle politics|a dog whistle]] for fascists, citing its use in the masthead of ''The Blackshirt'' and the modern far-right party.<ref name=Lff />

Interestingly, Britain First tried to register under the name of "Vote British" in the London Mayoral Election,<ref>Wright, Paul. [http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mayoral-election-britain-first-banned-using-keeping-london-british-slogan-1548700 "Mayoral Election: Britain First banned from using 'Keeping London British' slogan"]. ''International Business Times''.</ref> the same slogan openly fascist [[Oswald Mosley]] ran under for the General Elections in the late 1930s.<ref>[[:File:Mosley vote british.PNG|"Vote British"]]. ''The Blackshirt''. 27 February 1937</ref>

==History of the party ==
[[File:Paul-golding-cenotaph-knickers.jpg|thumb|Paul Golding aged 16, [[Irony|showing respect for the war dead]] (far right, in all senses).<ref>Watch him squirm when grilled about this image by {{wpl|Andrew Neil|Andrew "Brillo Pad" Neil}} on the ''Daily Politics'' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sMKHqV-oSw here]. It's worth noting that, at this time, Golding was still a card-carrying member of the [[National Front]], an unabashedly neo-Nazi organisation in Britain. [http://politicalscrapbook.net/2014/11/paul-golding-cenotaph-knickers-britain-first/ Political Scrapbook]</ref>]]

Britain First was created by [[Jim Dowson]], who ran a call centre in Dundonald, East Belfast ([[Northern Ireland]]), for the [[British National Party]] (BNP). Dowson's links with the BNP as a fundraiser ended acrimoniously in October 2010 when he was accused of groping a female activist.<ref>[http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/bnp-money-man-quits-after-1074247 BNP money man quits after model accuses him of groping her in hotel room]. ''Daily Record''. 31 October 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/exposed-scottish-bnp-no2-unmasked-3607390 Exposed: Scottish BNP No.2 unmasked as man behind Britain First Defence Force's sickening invasion of mosques]. ''Daily Record''. 26 May 2014.</ref> Dowson is a [[Christian fundamentalism|Christian fundamentalist]] and former [[Calvinist]] minister.<ref name=four/><ref group=note>Geez, what ''is'' it with the far right and {{wpl|Sexual harassment|treating women like sex toys|?!}} …Oh, right, they're sociopathic man-children.</ref>

Other former officials from the BNP joined Dowson in the formation of Britain First. Paul Golding had been a councillor in Sevenoaks, Kent, in 2009–11 representing the BNP,<ref>Sophie Madden, [http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/9069403.Ex_Swanley_BNP_councillor_heads_new_nationalist_movement/ "Former BNP Councillor Paul Golding heads Britain First nationalist movement"], ''News Shopper'', 8 June 2011</ref> as well as the BNP's Communications Officer.<ref>[https://archive.is/7950E#selection-565.248-565.306 Posts tagged "Paul Golding" on the BNP website]. Archived 5 May 2013, accessed 22 January 2015.</ref> Golding was briefly expelled from the party for assaulting its only ethnic minority candidate.<ref>Smith, Chris (21 February 2009). [http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/politics/article2027053.ece "BNP wins seat on Sevenoaks district council"]. The Times. (subscription required).</ref>

Britain First was launched through the "British Resistance" website in May 2011.<ref name="Intro">[http://thebritishresistance.co.uk/pp-news/980-introducing-britain-first Introducing Britain First] British Resistance. 26 May 2011</ref> Others involved in Britain First's launch included the former South East regional organiser of the BNP, Andy McBride, and Kevin Edwards, a former BNP councillor and organiser in Wales. Despite this, efforts have been made to disassociate with far-right organisations such as the BNP and EDL, with Dowson urging voters ''not'' to vote BNP in the 2014 European elections,<ref name=who2vote4 /> and Deputy Leader Jayda Fransen and Golding hurrying off EDL supporters at BF marches.<ref>''We Want Our Country Back'', [https://youtu.be/byRGsYJAPPA?t=226 3:47]</ref>

In November 2015, Britain First claimed that its [[Facebook]] page had over a million "likes", more than any other British political party<ref>{{cite news|last1=Withnall|first1=Adam|title=[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/britain-first-far-right-group-claims-to-be-first-political-party-to-reach-1-million-likes-on-a6728991.html Britain First far-right group claims to be 'first political party' to reach 1 million likes on Facebook]|work=The Independent|date=10 November 2015}}</ref> and the British Prime Minister, [[David Cameron]].<ref name=trending>{{cite news|last1=Tomchak|first1=Anne-Marie|title=[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29525146 #BBCtrending: The rise of Britain First online]|work=[[BBC|BBC News]]|date=9 October 2014}}</ref> [[HOPE not hate]] estimates that two million people per day interact with material from the Britain First Facebook page.<ref name=huffarrest/> At the end of November, Facebook briefly closed the Britain First page for breaching its community guidelines. The group also had to remove two photos published without permission.<ref>{{Cite web|title = [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-first-claims-fascist-facebook-has-closed-down-group-s-page-on-social-network-a6754651.html Britain First is trying to accuse Facebook of fascism]|website = The Independent|language = |date = 30 November 2015|last = Eleftheriou-Smith|first = Loulla-Mae}}<br>- {{Cite web|title = [http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/11/30/facebook-shuts-down-far-right-group-britain-first-under-hate-speech-rules/ Facebook reverts ban on Britain First under 'hate speech' rules]|website = Pink News|date = 30 November 2015|last = Duffy|first = Nick}}</ref> It later (without any sense of [[irony]] or [[hypocrisy]]) called Facebook "fascist".<ref>{{cite web | title= [http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/britain-first-facebook-page-restored-hours-after-far-right-group-accused-social-network-of-being-a6754851.html Facebook took Britain First's page down. But then it gave it back] | website=The Independent | date=30 November 2015 | author=Andrew Griffin}}<br>- {{cite web | last=Duell | first=Mark | title= [https://archive.is/mroOf Far-Right group Britain First accuses Facebook of 'fascism'] | website=Mail Online | date=30 November 2015 }}</ref>

===National People's Party===
In November 2011, Britain First announced the registration of a political party, the "National People's Party" (not to be confused with the openly [[white nationalist]] group of the [[English National Resistance|same name]]), a protest group co-founded by representatives of the [[English Defence League]], the [[English Democrats]] and the [[South East Alliance]].<ref>[https://archive.is/9unvV "Introducing the 'English National Resistance'"], ''Britain First''. Archived 9 July 2014, accessed 22 January 2016.</ref><ref>[https://archive.is/mg3ec "Are the English Democrats the stupid party?"] ''[[HOPE not hate]] blogs'', 3 February 2013. Archived 7 July 2013, accessed 22 January 2016.</ref>  Golding was named as leader.<ref>{{cite web |title=[https://archive.is/Jo7dy The Britain First Leadership Team] |publisher=Britain First |date=21 November 2011 }} Archived 3 July 2013, accessed 22 January 2016.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=[https://archive.is/K8br National People's Party official public launch] |publisher=Britain First |date=21 November 2011}}  Archived 3 December 2012, accessed 22 January 2016.</ref> 

The Britain First website carries a constitution for the Party stating, among other things, that "The campaign group Britain First will ... be entitled to put forward a representative to sit on the Standing Committee", a six-person group "tasked with the direction of the Party and running all its affairs".<ref>{{cite web||title=[https://archive.is/bfeyb National People's Party constitution]|work=Britain First}} Archived 3 July 2013, accessed 22 January 2016.</ref>

===Northern Ireland offshoot===
The principal figures in Britain First, Dowson and Golding, launched a new political party in [[Northern Ireland]] in April 2013.<ref name="Young">Connla Young, [http://www.irishnews.com/news/union-flag-protesters-launch-new-party-1250590 "Union flag protesters launch new party"], ''The Irish News'', 25 April 2013</ref> Dowson was registered with the Electoral Commission as the leader of the {{wpl|Protestant Coalition}} and Golding as its treasurer. However, Dowson stated at the launch that the Coalition had no one leader.<ref name="Young"/>

Golding had flown into Belfast in December 2012 to help co-ordinate {{wpl|Belfast City Hall flag protests}}.<ref>Deborah McAleese, [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/former-bnp-man-and-nick-griffin-excrony-paul-golding-flies-to-belfast-for-loyalist-flag-protest-29005554.html "Former BNP man and Nick Griffin ex-crony Paul Golding flies to Belfast for loyalist flag protest"], ''Belfast Telegraph'', 15 December 2012</ref> Dowson had been prominent in the protests, and at the time of the launch, was awaiting trial for public order offences, as was another of the Coalition's founders, {{wpl|Willie Frazer}}.<ref name="Young"/>

The website and logo of the Protestant Coalition closely resembled those of Britain First, although neither site explicitly mentioned an organisational link.<ref>A comparison of the sites as of 24 April 2013 is shown [http://web.archive.org/web/20130815134230/http://atheismnorthernireland.com/2013/04/24/the-shambolic-genesis-of-the-protestant-coalition/ here].</ref>

===Departure of Jim Dowson===
{{cquote|No matter how many times I told [Paul Golding] I did not want decent Muslims intimidated, he just continued doing it ... I have come to the conclusion that no matter how hard I tried, you cannot escape from the fact that the group is being overrun with racists and extremists.<ref name=jfkj/>}}
In a [[stopped clock]] moment on July 2014, founder [[Jim Dowson]] left Britain First. The ''Daily Mirror'' and ''The Independent'' wrote that Dowson left because of the party's "mosque invasions", which he considered to be "provocative and counterproductive", "unacceptable and unchristian" and "just as bad" as [[Anjem Choudary]]. Paul Golding reacted to this by saying that Britain First was, "as far as right-wing organisations go, relatively scandal-free",<ref name=jfkj>{{cite news|last1=Sommerlad|first1=Nick|title=[http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/britain-first-founder-quits-over-3923810 Britain First founder quits over mosque invasions which attract "racists and extremists"]|work=Daily Mirror|date=27 July 2014}}<br>- Lizzie Dearden, [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-first-founder-jim-dowson-quits-over-mosque-invasions-and-racists-and-extremists-9632770.html "Britain First founder Jim Dowson quits over mosque invasions and 'racists and extremists'"], ''The Independent'', 28 July 2014</ref> although this doesn't really set a great historical precedence.

Britain First itself denied the ''Mirror''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> story, calling it "[[Red-baiting|chief communist newspaper]] and lover of all things anti-British". The party claimed to have published a farewell letter from Dowson, in which he cited fatigue and the safety of his family as his reasons to leave.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McBride|first1=Andrew|title=[https://www.britainfirst.org/dont-believe-media-lies-statement-deputy-leader-andy-mcbride/ "DON'T BELIEVE THE MEDIA LIES!" – STATEMENT FROM DEPUTY LEADER ANDY MCBRIDE]|publisher=Britain First}}</ref>

===Use of royal symbols===
In August 2014, the Cabinet Office wrote to Britain First requesting that they remove an image of the British crown from their merchandise. The Advertising Standards Authority had previously requested that the crown be removed from Britain First's online accounts. In response, Golding called the ASA a "toothless quango with no power which no one takes any notice of" and responded that the group's solicitors had deemed the crown distinct enough to be used without breaching regulations.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Butler|first1=Sarah|title=[http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/27/government-cabinet-office-first-britain-royal-crown Government considers steps against Britain First over use of crown]|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=27 August 2014}}</ref> The ASA published a ruling on 4 March 2015 upholding complaints about use of the crown symbol, and about selling merchandise implying that it was British-made.<ref>{{cite web|title=[https://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2015/3/Lionheart-GB/SHP_ADJ_287682.aspx ASA Ruling on Lionheart GB]|date=4 March 2015| work=asa.org.uk}}</ref>

==Electoral history==

===2014 European elections===
Britain First registered with the Electoral Commission on 10 January 2014.<ref name=comm>{{cite web|title=[http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP2214 Britain First]|publisher=Electoral Commission}}</ref>

In 2014, the party registered the phrase "Remember [[Murder of Lee Rigby|Lee Rigby]]" for use in the 2014 European elections. The chair of the Electoral Commission later issued an apology "for the offence that has been caused" by accepting the registration.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/04/26/electoral-commission-britain-first-lee-rigby_n_5217680.html "Electoral Commission Issues Grovelling Apology After Extremist Party, Britain First, Uses Lee Rigby Slogan"], ''[[Huffington Post]]'', 26 April 2014<br>- [http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/lee-rigbys-mother-outraged-after-7037042 "Lee Rigby's mother outraged after political party allowed to use his name on ballot papers"], ''Manchester Evening News'', 26 April 2014</ref> When questioned by {{wpl|Andrew Neil|Andrew "Brillo Pad" Neil}} on the BBC's ''Daily Politics'' of the offence caused to Rigby's mother, Paul Golding said "We apologise to the mother of Lee Rigby, but it was a major act of terrorism, it was a big public event. He was a serving soldier".<ref name=dailypol/>

Britain First stood candidates for the 2014 European elections in Wales<ref>{{cite news|title=[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-27127311 Vote 2014: European election candidates for Wales]|newspaper=[[BBC|BBC News]]|date=28 April 2014}}</ref> and Scotland.<ref>{{cite news|title=[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27128651 Vote 2014: European election candidates for Scotland]|newspaper=[[BBC|BBC News]]|date=28 April 2014}}</ref> It encouraged English supporters, in the absence of a Britain First candidate (Dowson was standing for Scotland and Golding for Wales), to instead vote for the [[English Democrats]] or the [[UK Independence Party]] (UKIP). In a [[stopped clock]] moment, Dowson warned against voting for the [[British National Party|BNP]], claiming that the BNP's [[Nick Griffin]] (then party leader) has been a liability to the "patriotic" movement, showing a clip of Griffin [[Holocaust denial|denying the Holocaust ever happened]] and mentioning the colour bar on BNP membership.<ref name=who2vote4>{{cite web|title=[https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=473136309498302&set=vb.300455573433044&type=2&theater WHO TO VOTE FOR TOMORROW IF NOT BRITAIN FIRST?]|work=Britain First|publisher=[[Facebook]]}} Accessed 23 January 2016.</ref> The party came 8th of 11 in Wales, with 6,633 votes (0.9%),<ref>{{cite web|title=[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/eu-regions/W08000001 Vote 2014 - Wales]|publisher=[[BBC|BBC News]]}}</ref> and 7th of 9 in Scotland with 13,639 votes (1.02%, more than the BNP).<ref>{{cite web|title=[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/eu-regions/S15000001 Vote 2014 - Scotland]|publisher=[[BBC|BBC News]]}}</ref>

===Rochester and Strood by-election, 2014===
Britain First stood its first parliamentary candidate for the Rochester and Strood by-election on 20 November 2014, nominating its Deputy Leader, Jayda Fransen, the granddaughter of immigrants.<ref>''We Want Our Country Back'', [https://youtu.be/byRGsYJAPPA?t=568 9:28]: "...I'm the granddaughter of immigrants..."</ref> Jayda had formerly been involved with the [[English Defence League]] (a similar Islamophobic outfit), but left due to its association with hooliganism and violence.<ref>''We Want Our Country Back'', [https://youtu.be/byRGsYJAPPA?t=210 3:30]: "Jayda told me she used to be part of the EDL, but left because of their reputation for drink-fuelled violence."</ref>

The party had been active in nearby Gillingham in opposition to a planned mosque.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Francis|first1=Paul|title=[http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/top-tories-to-hit-campaign-25513/ George Osborne, Theresa May and Chris Grayling to visit Rochester and Strood ahead of by-election caused by Mark Reckless' defection to Ukip]|work=Kent Online|date=18 October 2014}}</ref>

Britain First's campaign for the by-election drew attention when the party uploaded a photo of Fransen together with local activists from the [[UK Independence Party]] (UKIP). UKIP responded by saying that the activists were not aware of the implications of the photograph, while Fransen said that the UKIP activists asked for the photo and that she was under the impression there were strong similarities between the two parties.<ref name=ukip>{{cite news|last1=Dearden|first1=Lizzie|title=[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/britain-first-accuses-ukip-of-playing-political-game-with-snub-over-rochester-photo-9824058.html Britain First accuses Ukip of 'playing political game' with snub over Rochester photo]|work=The Independent|date=28 October 2014}}</ref>

Royal Mail refused to deliver a leaflet for the party because it believes it to be illegal. The company said it could refuse to carry election mail if it considered the contents threatening or abusive.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-29858335 "Britain First Rochester election mail leaflet dubbed illegal"], ''BBC News'', 31 October 2014</ref>

[[UKIP]] won the by-election. Britain First finished 9th of 13 candidates, with 56 votes (0.14%), finishing below the [[Official Monster Raving Loony Party|Monster Raving Loony Party]] (with 151 votes, 0.38%) and above the Patriotic Socialist Party (with 33 votes, 0.08%).<ref>Medway Council: [http://www.medway.gov.uk/pdf/Rochester%20and%20Strood%20By-election.pdf "Rochester and Strood Constitu ency Parliamentary By-Election 20 November 2014"].</ref> At the count, the ''BBC News'' reporter {{wpl|Nick Robinson}} was criticised for taking a selfie with Fransen, stating that he did not know who she was and that he would check before appearing in any future photographs.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Swinford|first1=Steven|title=[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/11245011/Nick-Robinson-apologises-for-Britain-First-selfie.html Nick Robinson apologises for Britain First 'selfie']|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=21 November 2014}}</ref>

===London mayoral election, 2016===
{{cquote|There was quite a sad moment where Paul Golding, who's the head of Britain First, he turned his back on Sadiq Khan during his acceptance speech. I thought it’d be good if he'd accidentally turned to face [[Mecca]].|||Frankie Boyle, ''Have I Got News For You?''<ref>{{cite news|last1=York|first1=Chris|title=[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/frankie-boyle-paul-golding_uk_5736382be4b0b11a329eeebd Frankie Boyle Mercilessly Rips Britain First's Sadiq Khan 'Protest']|accessdate=20 June 2016|work=The Huffington Post|date=13 May 2016}}</ref>}}
On 27 September 2015, Paul Golding declared that he would stand as a candidate in the following year's London mayoral election against the Muslim Labour MP Sadiq Khan. In a Facebook post on the decision, Jayda Fransen wrote that the party's "pro-EU, Islamist-loving opponents" will "face the wrath of the Britain First movement ... We will not rest until every traitor is punished for their crimes against our country. And by punished, I mean good old fashioned British justice at the end of a rope!"<ref>{{cite news|last1=York|first1=Chris|title=[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/09/27/britain-first-paul-golding-london-mayoral-election_n_8203000.html Britain First's Paul Golding To Stand In London Mayoral Election]|work=Huffington Post|date=27 September 2015}}</ref> 

In the event BF scored a massive 1%, and Golding, unable to bear the fact that Khan won the election, turned his back during Khan's victory speech. This action was in no way the petty sulk of somebody without a shred of either decency or dignity.<ref>[http://metro.co.uk/2016/05/07/britain-first-candidate-turns-his-back-during-sadiq-khans-speech-5866416/ Britain First candidate turns his back during Sadiq Khan's speech]</ref> Following Khan's victory, BF issued a "[[direct action]] campaign against Muslim elected officials", describing Khan – who has received death threats from ''actual'' extremists due to supporting [[same-sex marriage]] – as an "[[Islamic terrorist]]",<ref>{{cite news|last1=Roberts|first1=Scott|title=[http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/18/labour-mp-sadiq-khan-receives-death-threats-for-supporting-same-sex-marriage/ Labour MP Sadiq Khan receives death threats for supporting same-sex marriage]|accessdate=20 June 2016|work=PinkNews|date=18 February 2013}}</ref> viewing all Muslims as "occupiers" within the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news|last1=York|first1=Chris|title=[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/britain-first-muslim-elected-officials_uk_574352c4e4b0e71ef36d9617 Britain First Threatens Sadiq Khan With 'Direct Action' Where He 'Lives, Works And Prays']|accessdate=20 June 2016|work=The Huffington Post|date=24 May 2016}}</ref>

==Protests and actions==

===Deceitful online tactics===
[[File:Britain First AAV.jpg|thumb|Ignoring the [[genetic fallacy]] regarding the ''[[Daily Mail|Daily 
Heil
 Mail]]'' and emotive language, political blogger Thomas G. Clark dissects BF propaganda regarding immigrants and asylum seekers.]]
In 2014, political blogger Thomas G. Clark wrote a letter to Peter Wardle (Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission) following the [http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/lee-rigbys-mother-outraged-after-7037042 condemnation by the family] of murdered soldier [[Lee Rigby]] to use "Remember Lee Rigby" on their European Election ballots, and criticised the party's social media campaign. As with other far-right groups such as the [[British National Party]], BF often uses images intended to go viral in order to bolster support and donations for the party (the specific example Clark gives is a post regarding animal cruelty, but there are many, ''many'' more out there).<ref>Clark, Thomas G. [http://anotherangryvoice.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/open-letter-electoral-commission.html "An open letter to the Electoral Commission"], ''Another Angry Voice'', 5 June 2014. Accessed 22 January 2016.</ref>

In 2014, following a regular purge of fake accounts used to garner page likes, BF's likes dropped from 500,000 to 350,000 in a matter of minutes, and it has been alleged that the party spent something in the region of £1,200 on this fake support.<ref>[http://edlnews.co.uk/2014/07/11/britain-first-stripped-of-150-000-facebook-click-farm-likes/ "Britain First Stripped of 150,000 Fake Facebook Likes"], ''EDL News'', 11 July 2014. Accessed 22 January 2016.</ref>

===Action against Islamists===
In May 2013, following the [[murder of Lee Rigby]], Britain First released a video threatening to place Islamist cleric [[Anjem Choudary]] under citizen's arrest if the Metropolitan Police would not arrest him,<ref name="independent"/> and threatened to take away his [[Muslamic ray guns]].{{cn|joke}} The ''[[Daily Mail]]'' claimed that the video had instead resulted in Choudary and his family being placed under police protection.<ref>{{cite news|last=Robinson|first=Martin|title=[https://archive.is/ar3by Police rush to home of hate preacher Anjem Choudary to protect him and his family after threats as he blames Cameron's 'crusade' for 'turning young Muslims to terror']|newspaper=[[Daily Mail]]|date=30 May 2013}} Archived 21 May 2014.</ref><ref>Sam Christie, [http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/10453176.VIDEO__Manhunt_launched_by_Swanley_group_leader_to_catch_hate_preacher/ "Manhunt launched by Swanley group leader Paul Golding for hate preacher Anjem"], ''News Shopper'', 30 May 2013</ref>

On 5 January 2015, Chelmsford Magistrates Court found Paul Golding guilty of harassing the sister-in-law of a man allegedly linked to the {{wpl|7 July bombings}}, having mistakenly turned up at her house instead of his. He was fined £325 and a further £100 for wearing a political uniform.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Balls|first1=Sam|title=[http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Britain-leader-Paul-Golding-guilty/story-25808029-detail/story.html Britain First leader Paul Golding found guilty of harassment and wearing a political uniform]|work=Essex Chronicle|date=5 January 2015}}</ref>

==="Christian Patrols"===
In February 2014, Britain First conducted [[Spiritual warfare|what it called the "Christian Patrol"]]<ref name=Bridger>{{cite news|last=Moore-Bridger|first=Benedict|title=[http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/farright-group-filmed-on-patrol-at-east-end-mosque-9110934.html Far-Right group filmed on 'patrol' at East End mosque]|newspaper=Evening Standard|date=6 February 2014}}</ref> in an area of Tower Hamlets, East London, with a high Muslim population, to allegedly counter continuing {{wpl|Muslim Patrol incident|"Muslim Patrols"|,}} which had first come to media attention in 2013.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21142148 "Homophobic 'vigilante' video appears online"], ''BBC News London'', 22 January 2013<br>- {{cite news|last=|first=|title=[https://news.vice.com/videos/londons-holy-turf-war London's Holy Turf War]|newspaper=Vice News |date=22 April 2014}}</ref> Around a dozen or so Britain First activists recorded themselves holding a banner proclaiming "We Are The British Resistance" and emptying cans of beer outside a mosque to "bait" Islamic extremists operating in the area. A video uploaded onto social media showing the event gained national media attention in the UK,<ref>{{cite news|last=Gover|first=Dominic|title=[http://uk.news.yahoo.com/london-far-militants-ex-army-jeeps-mount-39-131458146.html London: Far Right Militants Use Ex-Army Jeeps to Mount 'Christian Patrols' in Muslim Districts]|newspaper=International Business Times|date=6 February 2014}}</ref> and the patrol was condemned by Muslim and Christian leaders in the area.<ref name=Bridger/>

=== Entry of mosques and distribution of leaflets and Bibles===
In May 2014, members of Britain First [[Spiritual warfare|invaded ten Bradford mosques]], as well as ones in Glasgow,<ref name=dailypol>{{cite news|title=[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27427023 Britain First's leader Paul Golding on BNP breakaway]|newspaper=[[BBC|BBC News]]|date=15 May 2014}}</ref> Luton and East London.<ref name=four/> They made statements of the action of perceived Muslim grooming gangs in the area, accusing the community elders of failing to stop the gangs, while handing out Army Bibles and proselytising Christianity and telling one member to "reject the false prophet [[Muhammad]] and read the Bible". They also went to a [[Labour Party|Labour]] office to inform them that "they had been warned".<ref name=dailypol/> In response, the MP for Bradford West [[George Galloway]] said, "This is a grave and national issue. We demand full police action and protection of Mosques and worshippers."<ref>{{cite news|title=[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/farright-activists-hand-out-bibles-outside-mosques-in-bradford-9352271.html Far-right activists hand out Bibles outside mosques in Bradford]|newspaper=The Independent|date=11 May 2014}}</ref> Police are investigating.<ref name=dailypol/>

In July 2014, Britain First entered the Crayford Mosque in South London, demanding that its segregated entrances be removed, with Golding saying, "When you respect women we’ll respect your mosques." A volunteer of the local Muslim association called Britain First, "filthy people creating trouble in our society."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dearden|first1=Lizzie|title=[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-first-battalion-invades-mosque-demanding-removal-of-sexist-entrance-signs-9607978.html Britain First 'battalion' invades mosque demanding removal of 'sexist' entrance signs]|work=The Independent|date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Two addresses were raided in police investigation of this entrance, which led Britain First to protest at Bexleyheath Police Station. The group sought to gain publicity by stating that Golding was arrested for this protest, although the Metropolitan Police confirmed that they had spoken with him and no arrests had been made.<ref name=huffarrest>{{cite news|last1=Meredith|first1=Charlotte|title=[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/07/16/britain-first-mosque-_n_5591458.html Britain First Fail Dismally In Attempt To Get Leader Arrested, Say He's Been Arrested Anyway]|work=[[Huffington Post]]|date=16 July 2014}}</ref>

In 2016, the UK High Court declared that Britain First is to be banned from every mosque in England and Wales and effectively banned from {{wpl|Luton}} after causing "community tensions" in the area,<ref group=note>That's a polite way of saying "Being [[Fun:Asshole|complete bloody nuisances]] trying to incite a riot".</ref> which may possibly finish the organisation altogether, according to Golding.<ref>Samuels, Gabriel (18 August 2016). [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-first-banned-from-all-mosques-in-england-and-wales-after-police-take-out-injunction-a7196831.html "Britain First banned from all mosques in England and Wales"]. ''The Independent''.</ref> This ruling comes after a failed attempt by Bedfordshire Police to ban the group from Luton town centre in June 2015.<ref>[https://www.rt.com/uk/356379-britain-first-mosque-ban/ "Far-right Britain First banned from every mosque in England & Wales"]. August 18, 2016. ''[[RT|RT UK]]''.</ref>

===Rotherham===
In August 2014, after a report which revealed that over {{wpl|Rotherham sex grooming case|1,400 children had been sexually abused in Rotherham|,}} mainly by Pakistani men, Britain First protested inside the headquarters of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council with a banner saying "Justice for victims of Muslim grooming".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Palmer|first1=Ewan|title=[http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/rotherham-child-abuse-scandal-edl-britain-first-stage-protests-following-appalling-report-1463039 Rotherham Child Abuse Scandal: EDL and Britain First Stage Protests Following 'Appalling' Report]|work=International Business Times|date=28 August 2014}}</ref>

===Relationship to UKIP===
The [[UK Independence Party]] rejects associations with Britain First, stating [[Irony|"On the fringes of our politics are nutters and we don't want them anywhere near us"]].<ref name=ukip/><ref name=withnall/> Despite this, the two parties often share more common ground than either would like to admit. The party has endorsed Kipper and former Tory {{wpl|Mark Reckless}}, saying "UKIP AT THE BALLOT BOX, BRITAIN FIRST ON THE STREETS - A WINNING COMBINATION!", and have also both exploited the Rotherham sex abuse scandals into anti-Islamic rhetoric in their posters.<ref name=mirrorukipbf>Goodway, Frankie. [http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/ampp3d/surprise-you-how-similar-britain-4530710 "It may surprise you how similar Britain First is to UKIP"], ''The Mirror'', 30 October 2014. Accessed 26 January 2015.</ref> Similarities that the parties have include:
*'''[[Reddit]]''' – if you search for [https://www.reddit.com/r/britainfirst r/BritainFirst] on Reddit, one is promptly redirected to [https://www.reddit.com/r/ukipparty r/ukipparty].<ref>Narjas Zatat. [http://indy100.independent.co.uk/article/what-happens-when-you-search-for-britain-first-on-reddit--Z1x9JTTYk8Z "What happens when you search for Britain First on Reddit"]. (17 July 2016). ''indy100''.</ref>
*'''TAKING OUR COUNTRY [[European Union|BACK FROM BRUSSELS SPROUTS]]!''' – BF are against the [[European Union|EU]], seeing it as a "loony left" venture, decreasing national sovereignty and expensive for the British taxpayer, exactly the same as UKIP does.<ref>[http://archive.is/1Ou4g "WELCOME TO THE 'LOONY LEFT' EUROPEAN UNION!"] ''Britain First''. Accessed 26 January 2016.</ref> I don't think fellow "loony leftwinger" {{wpl|Tony Benn}} would agree that the EU is a [[socialist]] project...
*'''Immigration''' – the degree to which BF is opposed to immigration is debatable (they are officially opposed to ''all'' immigration), with the idea of an [[Australia]]n style "points system" being floated around for a while<ref name=mirrorukipbf /> – a policy which UKIP completely agrees with.<ref>[http://archive.is/qpasV "UKIP launches immigration policy"], ''UK Independence Party''. Accessed 26 January 2016.</ref>
*'''Capital punishment''' – although [[Nigel Farage]] is personally opposed to the idea,<ref>[[Nigel Farage|Farage, Nigel]]. [http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/i-m-against-the-death-penalty-but-i-think-we-should-be-free-to-debate-it-9669991.html "I'm against the death penalty, but I think we should be free to debate it"], ''The Independent'', 14 August 2014. Accessed 26 January 2016.</ref> high-ranking MEPs<ref>Buchanan, Rose Troup. [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ukip-mep-calls-for-reintroduction-of-death-penalty-on-fiftieth-anniversary-of-last-deaths-9668912.html "Ukip MEP calls for reintroduction of death penalty on fiftieth anniversary of last deaths"], ''The Independent'', 14 August 2014. Accessed 26 January 2016.</ref> and the vast majority of their voters<ref>Rothwell, James. [http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/death-penalty-75-ukip-voters-5406516 "Death penalty: 75% of UKIP voters back capital punishment while public support drops below 50%"] ''The Mirror'', 26 March 2015. Accessed 26 January 2016.</ref> do so. BF are unequivocally in favour of re-introducing capital punishment.<ref>[http://archive.is/DdPFB "STAGE 1: BRING BACK CAPITAL PUNISHMENT"], ''Britain First''. Accessed 26 January 2016.</ref>

However, UKIP and BF differ in various ways, namely:
*'''[[Islam]]''' – BF claim that this is the "key difference" between the two parties,<ref>[http://archive.is/eDagW WHERE DOES BRITAIN FIRST AND UKIP DIFFER? ANSWER: ISLAM], ''Britain First''. Accessed 26 January 2016.</ref> with UKIP at least not having an official policy on banning Islam – UKIP have previously joined the "ban the [[burka]]" brigade, but then opposed the ban on allegedly [[libertarian]] grounds<ref>Moseley, Tom. [http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/09/19/ukip-veil-ban-policy-reversed_n_3954164.html "Ukip's Muslim Veil Ban Policy Has Been Reversed, Deputy Leader Paul Nuttall Says"], ''[[The Huffington Post]]'', 19 September 2013. Accessed 26 January 2016.</ref> before changing its mind back again for the 2017 general election.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39682939</ref>
====Defence of Nigel Farage====
In May 2014, Britain First announced that it would be deploying "hundreds of ex-British Forces" alongside "several armoured ex-army Land Rovers" to protect the UKIP leader [[Nigel Farage]] after he had been opposed on the street by supporters of Scottish independence.<ref>{{cite news|last1=MacNab|first1=Scott|title=[http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/armoured-cars-offered-to-farage-in-scotland-1-3404216 'Armoured cars' offered to Farage in Scotland]|work=The Scotsman|date=9 May 2014}}</ref> Whilst acknowledging that UKIP and Britain First were "rival" right-wing organisations, it stated that the two parties remain "patriots together" and as such it was willing to "put our men and our resources at UKIP's disposal".<ref>{{cite web|title=[https://archive.is/7jAgt Britain first to deploy armoured patrol vehicles and ex-military volunteers to protect UKIP leader Nigel Farage]|publisher=Britain First}} Archived 30 November 2014.</ref>

In March 2015, a group of anti-UKIP protesters went to a pub where Farage and his family were dining and allegedly scared his children into running away. Later that month Britain First went to that group's meeting in London "to give these traitors their comeuppance". No injuries were reported, but a 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault.<ref name=withnall>{{cite news|last1=Withnall|first1=Adam|title=[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/britain-first-acting-like-ukip-henchmen-by-invading-meeting-of-activists-in-revenge-for-pub-protest-against-nigel-farage-10146379.html Britain First 'acting like Ukip henchmen' by invading meeting of activists in revenge for pub protest against Nigel Farage]|work=The Independent|date=31 March 2015}}</ref>

===Jews in London===
In 2015, Britain First offered "solidarity patrols" in areas of London with high Jewish populations while blaming anti-Semitism on Islam. The {{wpl|Community Security Trust}}, an organisation against [[antisemitism]], has warned Jews not to become involved with Britain First, and has likened this policy to similar ones by the [[English Defence League]] and the BNP, saying that all of these groups were opposing Muslims more than supporting Jews.<ref name=israel>{{cite news|last1=Ghert-Zand|first1=Renee|title=[http://www.timesofisrael.com/british-jews-say-no-thanks-to-nationalist-groups-support/ British Jews say 'no thanks' to nationalist group's support]|accessdate=|work=The Times of Israel|date=14 February 2015}}</ref>

===Calais===
Britain First visited the French port of Calais in summer 2015, during a period of {{wpl|Migrants around Calais|attempted migration}} to the United Kingdom via the town. Afterwards, the party was approached by the documentary maker Ross Kemp to feature in a documentary film about the contemporary rise in nationalism. The party rejected Kemp's offer, calling him a "leftwing actor", while a producer responded by saying that Kemp listens to all opinions,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hopkins|first1=Steven|title=[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/08/12/britain-first-refuse-to-speak-to-ross-kemp_n_7975478.html Britain First Reject Ross Kemp Immigration Film, Saying Move Would 'Drag Them Through Gutter']|accessdate=|work=Huffington Post|date=12 August 2015}}</ref> unlike most Biffers. At the same time, the organisation were recorded for a BBC Three documentary titled "We Want Our Country Back".<ref>{{cite news|title=[http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/13628499.BBC_Three_has_big_plans__but_are_young_people_still_watching_/ BBC Three has big plans, but are young people still watching?]|accessdate=|work=Herald Scotland|date=27 August 2015}}</ref>

===Van-based terrorist attack===
On 23 June 2017, first anniversary of the [[Brexit]] vote, a drunk Britain First supporter attempted to attack the curry restaurant Spicy Night in Harrow, west London, by driving a van at it and shouting "white power". The restaurant's owner was injured in the attack by Polish-born Britain Firster Marek Zakrocki, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and wife-beating, while additional charges were left on file (neither dismissed nor brought to trial).<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/04/britain-first-supporter-drove-van-harrow-curry-house-owner-court-hears Britain First supporter drove van at curry house owner, court hears], The Guardian, 4 Dec 2017</ref>

===In Northern Ireland===
In December 2017 leader Paul Golding and deputy leader Jayda Fransen were both in trouble with authorities in [[Northern Ireland]] over speeches and other comments they had made in the province. Fransen was charged with threatening behaviour after making anti-Islamic comments at an event in Shankhill, Belfast. Golding was also charged with using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour at the same rally.<reF>[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/15/britain-first-deputy-leader-jayda-fransen-released-on-bail Britain First deputy leader released on bail], The Guardian (based on Press Association reports), 15 Dec 2017</ref>

===Videos and Trump===
The group received additional publicity and became centre of an international diplomatic incident in November-December 2017 after [[Donald Trump]] retweeted videos by deputy leader Jayda Fransen that claimed to show Muslims being nasty, although their accuracy was rapidly questioned.<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-britain-first-retweet-muslim-migrants-jayda-fransen-deputy-leader-a8082001.html Donald Trump retweets Britain First deputy leader's Islamophobic posts], The Independent, 19 Nov 2017</ref> Even British PM [[Theresa May]] criticised Trump for this.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/30/theresa-may-not-afraid-to-criticise-donald-trump</ref>

===Twitter ban===
On December 18, 2017, [[Twitter]] banned Jayda Frensen and Britain First altogether alongside other [[far-right]] and [[alt-right]] figures. This was reversed after Twitter was bought by [[Elon Musk]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/29/banned-british-far-right-figures-return-to-twitter-within-hours-of-takeover#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16672327465779&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fpolitics%2F2022%2Foct%2F29%2Fbanned-british-far-right-figures-return-to-twitter-within-hours-of-takeover Banned British far-right figures return to Twitter within hours of takeover]</ref>

==Policies and views==

Britain First's stated aim is to protect "British and Christian morality", and is "committed to preserving our ancestral ethnic and cultural heritage" while it also "supports the maintenance of the indigenous British people as the demographic majority within our own homeland", that "Genuine British citizens will be put first in housing, jobs, education, welfare and health".<ref name=Principles>Britain First [http://www.britainfirst.org/statement-of-principles/ Statement of Principles]</ref> The party self-styles itself as "loyalist".<ref name=israel/>

Britain First has described [[climate change]] as "another leftwing, anti-capitalist fraud foisted on us to de-industrialise the west."<ref>{{cite web|url=|title=[https://archive.is/cuICZ/image Britain First - Climate change/global warming, another]|author=|date=|work=[[Facebook]]}} Archived 20 January 2016.</ref> The party also wishes to withdraw from the [[United Nations]] and ban the [[BBC]].<ref name=reuj>Hopkins, Stephen. [http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/11/17/britain-first-wants-to-ban-islam-in-uk_n_8580608.html "Britain First Reacts To Paris Attacks With 'Ban Islam In UK' Policy At Their Annual Conference"] ''The Huffington Post''. 17 November 2015.</ref>

===Racism===
BF is [[I'm not prejudiced, but...|not a racist party in any way, shape, or form]], alluding to the typical go-to "Islam isn't a race" argument to back this up.<ref>''We Want Our Country Back'', [https://youtu.be/byRGsYJAPPA?t=524 8:44]: "[Jayda Fransen speaking in radio interview] 'Let's start with the word racist, Jonathan. What race are Muslims? You could be white, you could be black, you could be Asian, it doesn't matter. It's not a race.'"</ref> To prove this point, the page on their website dealing with alleged race issues has loads of pictures of black and minority ethnic people, in order to prove that Biffers [[Friend argument|have black friends]].<ref name=Racism>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150806045013/https://www.britainfirst.org/racism/ "Racism" section] on the BF official website. Archived 6 August 2015, accessed 22 January 2016.</ref> The party wants to issue a complete ban on the term "racism" ''ever'' being used in the media (especially towards its policies),<ref name=reuj /> reiterating the old far-right trope that the "word 'racism' was invented by a communist mass murderer, [[Leon Trotsky]], to silence European opposition to 'multi-culturalism', so we do not recognise the validity of this made-up word",<ref>Gander, Kashmira. [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-first-wants-the-media-to-stop-using-the-word-racism-a6738811.html "Britain First wants the media to stop using the word 'racism'"], ''The Independent'', 18 November 2015. Accessed 25 January 2016.</ref> a claim which is common in far-right circles – [[Racism#Origin of the term "racism"|and is absolute bullshit]], in case you didn't already know.<ref>[http://histomatist.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/debunking-fascist-myths-94-leon-trotsky.html Debunking fascist myths # 94: Leon Trotsky and 'the invention of racism' myth], ''Histomat: Adventures in Historical Materialism'', 27 July 2013. Accessed 25 January 2016.</ref>

Its claimed objective is "to save this country and our people from the EU, politically correct, multicultural insanity that is now engulfing us".<ref name="Intro"/> It said in 2015 that Muslims are the only community not integrating, and that "Jews don't cause any problems",<ref name=israel/> which must be a change from Golding's days down at the old NF. However, this has led some übercrazies to claim that Golding is a Zionist, shekel-grabbing stooge.<ref>Such as [http://archive.is/AgfXk this] from the so-called "Anti-Zionist League", who call the group "Jewish First" and say the organisation is "a fraudulent 'nationalistic' front" and "a setup of the Jewish occupied Government" ([http://archive.is/M4U90 AZL: Britain First])</ref>

==See also==
*[[Britain is full]]
==External links==
*[[BBC|BBC 3]] documentary [https://youtu.be/byRGsYJAPPA "We Want Our Country Back"] (6 October 2015, via [[YouTube]])
*VICE documentary [https://youtu.be/y1tEpjmFH9g "London's Holy Turf War"] (22 April 2014, via YouTube)
* [https://exposingbf.wordpress.com/2015/10/11/what-happened-to-jayda-fransen/ What happened to Jayda Fransen?] ''Exposing Britain First'' – discusses claims over Deputy Leaders' childhood, religious convictions, and qualifications. [https://exposingbf.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/jayda-fransen-timeline-and-supporting-evidence.pdf Jayda Fransen's timeline – What she claims versus want we actually know]
*{{wpa|Paul Golding}}
*{{wpa|Jim Dowson}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

{{UKPoliticalParty}}

[[Category:British right wing]]
[[Category:British political parties]]
[[Category:Far-right political parties]]
[[Category:Fascism]]
[[Category:Islamophobia]]
[[Category:Nationalism in the UK]]
[[Category:Racism]]
[[Category:Xenophobia]]

Categories: British right wing, British political parties, Far-right political parties, Fascism, Islamophobia, Nationalism in the UK, Racism, Xenophobia