National Front
Date
1967
History
The National Front is a far right, whites only, ‘racial nationalist’ political party. South Hackney and Shoreditch has historically been considered a stronghold of the party.
In the 1970s under the leadership of John Tyndall it was known for its violent demonstrations. Its supporters were linked to a number of violent crimes within the borough at this time, such as the 1977 firebombing of the Centerprise bookshop, and threats being posted through the doors of Asian families.
The Front ran candidates in general and council elections. John Tyndall himself ran as the parliamentary candidate for Hackney South and Shoreditch in 1979.
In 1978, the National Front moved its headquarters to Excalibur House, 73 Great Eastern Street in Hackney. A significant campaign against the presence of the NF in the borough was organised, with 20,000 people signing a petition to Hackney Council to evict them. In 1980 the NF was given three months to comply with an enforcement order issued by Hackney Council to close the headquarters on the basis of planning grounds, as the property was only authorised to be used as a warehouse.
Electoral support for the NF:
1974 general elections:
February - Hackney North and Stoke Newington - Henry Lord - 1226 votes (4th)
October - Hackney South and Shoreditch - Ronald May - 2544 votes (4th)
October - Hackney North and Stoke Newington - Henry Lord - 1044 votes (4th)
1975 Council by-election - Kingsmead - 522 votes (3rd)
1977 Council by-election - Springfield - 149 votes (3rd)
1978 Council Elections:
Chatham - 13% vote share
Dalston - 9.3% vote share
De Beauvoir - 20.8% vote share
Haggerston - 21.3% vote share [2nd largest vote share]
Homerton - 9.3% vote share
Leabridge - 6.8% vote share
Moorfields - 25.8% vote share [2nd largest vote share]
Queensbridge - 14.1% vote share
Springfield - 5% vote share
Victoria - 11.2% vote share
Wenlock - 22.1% vote share [2nd largest vote share]
Wick - 13.7 % vote share
1979 General Election - Hackney South and Shoreditch - John Tyndall - 1958 votes (4th)
1979 General Election - Hackney North and Stoke Newington - Sylvia May - 860 votes (4th)
1982 Council Elections - Moorfields - 3.9% vote share
1982 Council Elections - Wenlock - 3.1% vote share
1983 General Election - Hackney South and Shoreditch - Ralph Ashton - 593 votes (6th)
1983 General Election - Hackney North and Stoke Newington - J.Field - 396 votes (6th)
In the 1970s under the leadership of John Tyndall it was known for its violent demonstrations. Its supporters were linked to a number of violent crimes within the borough at this time, such as the 1977 firebombing of the Centerprise bookshop, and threats being posted through the doors of Asian families.
The Front ran candidates in general and council elections. John Tyndall himself ran as the parliamentary candidate for Hackney South and Shoreditch in 1979.
In 1978, the National Front moved its headquarters to Excalibur House, 73 Great Eastern Street in Hackney. A significant campaign against the presence of the NF in the borough was organised, with 20,000 people signing a petition to Hackney Council to evict them. In 1980 the NF was given three months to comply with an enforcement order issued by Hackney Council to close the headquarters on the basis of planning grounds, as the property was only authorised to be used as a warehouse.
Electoral support for the NF:
1974 general elections:
February - Hackney North and Stoke Newington - Henry Lord - 1226 votes (4th)
October - Hackney South and Shoreditch - Ronald May - 2544 votes (4th)
October - Hackney North and Stoke Newington - Henry Lord - 1044 votes (4th)
1975 Council by-election - Kingsmead - 522 votes (3rd)
1977 Council by-election - Springfield - 149 votes (3rd)
1978 Council Elections:
Chatham - 13% vote share
Dalston - 9.3% vote share
De Beauvoir - 20.8% vote share
Haggerston - 21.3% vote share [2nd largest vote share]
Homerton - 9.3% vote share
Leabridge - 6.8% vote share
Moorfields - 25.8% vote share [2nd largest vote share]
Queensbridge - 14.1% vote share
Springfield - 5% vote share
Victoria - 11.2% vote share
Wenlock - 22.1% vote share [2nd largest vote share]
Wick - 13.7 % vote share
1979 General Election - Hackney South and Shoreditch - John Tyndall - 1958 votes (4th)
1979 General Election - Hackney North and Stoke Newington - Sylvia May - 860 votes (4th)
1982 Council Elections - Moorfields - 3.9% vote share
1982 Council Elections - Wenlock - 3.1% vote share
1983 General Election - Hackney South and Shoreditch - Ralph Ashton - 593 votes (6th)
1983 General Election - Hackney North and Stoke Newington - J.Field - 396 votes (6th)
