Patrick Antony Harrington (born 24 May 1964) is a far-right[1] British political activist and writer of Irish Catholic family origins, who has published pamphlets by the Social Credit advocate and former editor of the Liverpool Newsletter, Anthony Cooney, about prominent Catholic writers such as G. K. Chesterton, J.R.R.
[5] Although he first came to prominence as a leading member of the National Front in the 1980s, Patrick Harrington claims he has undergone substantial ideological change since he voted to disband the NF in 1989.
In an interview with Wayne John Sturgeon of Alternative Green magazine, Harrington said:"I voted for the disbandment of the National Front in 1989 which I think speaks for itself.
[6]Sturgeon has been closely associated with Troy Southgate's various nationalist-anarchist groups, from the National Revolutionary Faction (NRF)[7] to the New Right,[8] which describes itself as "opposed to liberalism, democracy and egalitarianism".
[10] Harrington was expelled from the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) on 27 June 2003[11] and ascribes his involvement in Solidarity to this.
[citation needed] The Third Way think tank (not be confused with the ideas associated with Tony Blair and Bill Clinton) advocates direct democracy along Swiss lines using referendums and citizens' initiatives, and is strongly influenced by Distributism and Social Credit.
It supports small business and co-operative ownership, while opposing over-centralised government and promoting decision making at the lowest practical level.
[17] In December 1984, Dr David MacDowall, the Polytechnic's director, resigned after pressure from the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) to make a complaint against Harrington for remarks he made in a radio interview.
[18] In his resignation letter, MacDowall admitted that he had acted "in a totally fascistic manner" over the issue, and wished "all the picketing students the best of luck with their campaign".
[19] Harrington subsequently faced a college hearing for a television interview in which, in line with NF policy, he questioned the right of black people to citizenship.
Harrington sided with the Political Soldier group that included Nick Griffin (who later became leader of the British National Party) and Derek Holland.
[23] Harrington was involved in one of the manifestations of these divisions in the 1989 Vauxhall by-election when, as a candidate, one of his opponents was Ted Budden of the Flag Group.
[23] In October, the Political Soldier NF was the subject of a Channel 4 documentary, Disciples of Chaos in which Harrington was interviewed.
[23] Harrington and Williamson attended pro-Palestinian demonstrations such as the 1988 Quds Day march in London, as part of an ONF strategy to show support for Muslim anti-Zionists.
Stuart responded by setting up his own group, Blood & Honour, whose eponymous publication openly attacked his former NF associates.
[citation needed] Harrington has had previous links with Nick Griffin and has provided legal services in the past to the British National Party, but he denies that these associations imply ideological agreement.
[citation needed] He worked for Nick Griffin as a European Parliamentary local assistant during the MEP's term of office.
[citation needed] In September 2005, he edited, and Third Way published, a pamphlet entitled Taking Liberties, with an article by Griffin.
I always feared, however, that the many fine domestic policy offerings from Labour, which I as someone left-leaning, pro-union and pro-worker approved of, would be overshadowed by Brexit.