Opposition to the National Front (UK)

[2] The NF's rise in 1973–74 was noticed by the leaders of major social and political groups but they generally ignored it, hoping that depriving it of additional publicity would hasten its decline.

[11] The TUC had previously been reticent about launching large-scale anti-racist campaigns, but agreed to do so amid growing far-left pressure and an awareness of the threat to trade unionism posed by a resurgent fascist movement.

[16] In November 1977, various left and far-left groups launched the Anti-Nazi League (ANL);[17] it attracted public endorsements from several Labour politicians, trade union leaders, academics, actors, and sports people.

[19] In 1976 Rock Against Racism was launched, holding two well-attended music festivals in London in 1978; performers included The Clash and Steel Pulse.

[20] In 1977, the British Council of Churches assembly agreed to launch its own anti-fascist and anti-racist organisation, resulting in the creation of Christians Against Racism and Fascism in January 1978.

[13] Many opposed to the NF were cautious about joining groups with prominent far-left contingents, and as a more moderate alternative to the ANL, in December 1977 the MP Joan Lestor founded the Joint Committee Against Racialism (JCAR), which united Labour, Conservative, and Liberal Party members.

[21] Taylor noted that by the end of 1977, an "unprecedented range of groups from almost every section of British society spreading right across the political spectrum had declared an intention to oppose the NF and the racism upon which it fed".