Sir Oswald Ernald Mosley was born into an aristocratic family as the eldest son of a 5th Baronet on November 16, 1896. After a career in politics, Mosley led the British Union of Fascists (BUF) for 8 years, a period marked by violence and rich in anti-Semitic sentiment, with a strong presence in the East End of London. Although never fully able to establish himself or his ideas, Mosley is still remembered as the leading figure in British Fascism.
How Did Mosley Establish Himself?
After serving in a cavalry regiment and as a pilot during the First World War, Mosley kicked off his political career with the Conservative Party and later the Labour Party. During his early career, he married the heiress Cynthia Curzon in 1920 (he would later marry Diana Mitford following Curzon’s death).
During his time with the above parties, Mosley grew disillusioned with the British government and resigned in May 1930. Following his resignation, Mosley and 5 other Labour Party MPs created the New Party and, although it did not have much success, it did act as a precursor for the BUF. In January 1932, Mosley visited Italy to study fascism where he met Benito Mussolini and was so influenced that he became convinced that it was time to establish a fascist party in Britain. [1]
What Was the British Union of Fascists?
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Sign up to our Free Weekly NewsletterThe BUF was officially launched on 1st October 1932 with 32 members, including several former members of the New Party. The party was most active in the inter-war years, reaching around 40,000 members in 1934 with branches across the country. Mosley wanted members to wear a ‘uniform’ which included a black shirt, coining the nickname ‘Blackshirts’ for members and supporters of the BUF.
The most notable event which took place in the inter-war years was the Battle of Cable Street in 1936 – a clash between fascists and anti-fascists. To increase support for their campaign, the British Union of Fascists intended to march through the East End on 4th October 1936, wearing their Blackshirt uniforms. Around 50,000 people gathered to prevent the entry of the march into the East End, and between 100,000 and 300,000 additional protesters waited on the route where barricades were erected. [2]
Following this battle, the government passed the 1936 Public Order Act which gave the Prime Minister and the police the power to ban marches and made it an offence to wear political uniforms. [3] With new barriers in place, Mosley decided to use more democratic methods and took part in municipal elections but had little success.
What Did Mosley Do During and Following World War Two?
Despite the war against Germany, fascism in Britain persisted during World War Two and the government issued Defense Regulation 18B, which allowed for persons believed to be a threat to the country to be interned. The first arrests of BUF members occurred on 23 May 1940, and hundreds were eventually detained, including Mosley. [4]
Mosley was released from internment in November 1943 on the grounds of declining health, a decision that was met with much hostility from the British public who were keenly aware of the Nazi threat. Mosley was released on the condition that he was not to engage in any political activity and during this time he laid low on his farm in Wiltshire, but he was still formulating behind the scenes. [5]
Although Mosley did not re-enter active politics until 1947, he was still involved with fascist groups after the war and claimed that his time as a detainee had given him the chance to strengthen himself intellectually.
What Was the Union Movement?
Mosley returned to active politics with the Union Movement (UM) in February 1948, uniting 51 groups under one movement. No Jews were allowed to join. The UM attracted an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 followers and Mosley was careful to work within the law to try and establish a legitimate movement.[6] Speakers were encouraged to wear black tops and grey trousers. Flags bearing the Union Jack and the lightning flash, a symbol adopted from the BUF, were also flown. Following the Windrush in 1948, members of the UM also began to attack immigrants from the West Indies but antisemitism remained at the core.
Despite Mosley’s charisma, he lacked the energy he had in his pre-war career and even his followers became disillusioned with membership declining to half its numbers by 1949. Mosley stepped back from the running of the movement, and by 1951 he had left for Ireland.
How Did Mosley Spend His Final Years?
Mosley did not return to Britain until 1958 when immigration growth became a popular subject amongst the public, especially regarding Windrush (again). He ran as an MP in the 1959 General Election for Kensington North and in 1966 for Shoreditch and Finsbury but did not have much success and later retired to France. During his final years Mosley experienced ill- health and suffered with Parkinson’s disease. He died at home in Orsay on 3 December 1980 aged 84.
Sources:
[1] https://spartacus-educational.com/PRmosley.htm
[2] Martin Pugh, Hurrah for the Blackshirts (2006), page 225
[3] https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/acts/public-order-act-1936
[4] David Stephen Lewis, Illusions of Grandeur: Mosley, Fascism and the British Ideology 1931-1981, Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1987, p.231
[5] Nigel H. Jones, Mosley: Life and Times (London: Haus Publishing, 2005), p.144
[6] Nigel Copsey, Anti-fascism in Britain (Hampshire: MacMilllan, 2000), p.96
