A. K. Chesterton

{{significantly problematic}}[[File:A. K. Chesterton.jpg|thumb|167px|A. K. Chesterton.]]{{UKpolitics}}
{{hatnote|Not to be confused with his cousin [[G. K. Chesterton]], a prominent author philosopher etc of the late 19<sup>th</sup> and early 20<sup>th</sup> century}}
'''Arthur Kenneth Chesterton''' {{lived|1896|1973}} was a prominent member of the [[British]] [[far-right]].

In 1933 he joined the [[British Union of Fascists]],<ref name=spartacus>http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/SSchesterton.htm</ref> but resigned when the organisation fell into decline.<ref>Sykes, Alan (2005). ''The Radical Right in Britain''. p. 70</ref> He and some other former members of the BUF formed the National Socialist League in 1938.<ref name=spartacus/> Chesterton later became a member of the Right Club, an organisation founded in 1939 by MP {{wpl|Archibald Maule Ramsay}} with the aim of ridding the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] of a perceived [[Jewish]] influence.

Chesterton also became a regular contributor to the pro-fascist ''Weekly Review'', which had been founded by his late cousin G.K. Chesterton but moved rightward after his death in 1936.<ref>Sykes, Alan (2005). ''The Radical Right in Britain''. pp.77-8</ref> He joined the New Pioneer Group of Gerard Wallop, Viscount Lymington, an ardent imperialist and isolationist.<ref>Sykes, Alan (2005). ''The Radical Right in Britain''. p. 91</ref><ref>{{wpa|Gerard Wallop, 9th Earl of Portsmouth}}</ref> Under Collin Brooks, he was deputy editor of ''Truth'', a long-running British periodical which went through varying political incarnations, but had faced allegations of Nazi sympathy during World War Two; it was taken over by moderates in 1953 and Chesterton left.<ref>{{wpa|Truth (British periodical)}}</ref> The same year he founded another magazine, ''Candour'', which he edited until his death.<ref>{{wpa|Candour (magazine)}}</ref>

In 1954 Chesterton formed the {{wpl|League of Empire Loyalists||,}} with ''Candour'' becoming its house magazine. Unlike contemporary fascists Chesterton was not interned during [[World War II]], and the LEL was able to garner a certain respectability. But as well as being pro-Empire and anti-[[communist]] views the LEL had [[Antisemitism|anti-semitic]], anti-[[American]] and anti-[[capitalist]] streaks, and attracted [[Nazi]] sympathisers as well as the mainstream [[right]]. Its support did not last long: the LEL had 3000-odd members in 1958 but just 300 in 1961.<ref>Sykes, Alan (2005). ''The Radical Right in Britain''. p.99</ref>

In 1965 his book ''The New Unhappy Lords'' was published, which set out a [[conspiracy theory]] about Jews and other groups running an occult conspiracy to control the world through organisations such as the [[Bilderberg Group]], with a supposed goal of promoting [[globalism]] and threatening the white race.<ref name=wp>{{wpa|A. K. Chesterton}}</ref><ref>"Transatlantic Connections and Conspiracies: A.K. Chesterton and The New Unhappy Lords", Graham Macklin, ''Journal of Contemporary History'', Vol 47, Issue 2, 2012</ref>

On 7 February 1967, the League of Empire Loyalists combined with the British National Party (not to be confused with the [[British National Party|version founded in 1980]]), the Greater Britain Movement and the Radical Preservation Society to form the [[National Front]] (although they excluded some of the more obviously violent, thuggish people who might provide bad publicity). Chesterton became chairman of the new party.<ref>[https://www.bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/arthur-kenneth-chesterton-collection/ Arthur Kenneth Chesterton Collection: Factsheet], University of Bath (UK)</ref> However, in ill health and spending much of his time in [[South Africa]], he was eventually driven to resignation by resentful members in 1970, the first of many such incidents in the history of the National Front.<ref>Walker, Martin. ''The National Front''. pp. 95-6</ref><ref>Sykes, Alan (2005). ''The Radical Right in Britain''. p. 106</ref> He died in 1973 of emphysema.<ref name=wp/>

==References==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chesterton, A. K.}}
{{stub|politicians}}
[[Category:Antisemites]]
[[Category:British politics]]
[[Category:Fascists]]
[[Category:Nazis]]
[[Category:Racists]]
[[Category:Right-wing activists]]

Categories: Antisemites, British politics, Fascists, Nazis, Racists, Right-wing activists