England First Party
From Free net encyclopedia
- For the party currently named "England First", see International Third Position.
The England First Party (EFP) is a minor political party operating in England. They were formed in 2004 by Mark Cotterill who had been the founder and Chairman of American Friends of the British National Party. However he began to disagree with the BNP politically and so formed the EFP, after a spell in the White Nationalist Party..
The EFP differs from the BNP in its analysis of the United Kingdom. It criticises British Nationalism and supports English Nationalism instead, however many members of the EFP are former BNP members, like their chairman, Cotterill.
Many critics of the EFP have identified them as a far-right party, many saying they are to the right of even the BNP. The BNP has in fact proscribed them as an organisation.
The EFP campaign against the creation of regional assemblies across England, currently supported by the UK's Labour government. They also campaign on issues such as opposing immigration; and opposing the UK's continued membership of the European Union.
In their first electoral test, a local government by-election for the Heysham South ward in Lancaster the EFP polled fairly well, coming in third place with 14% of the votes cast, behind the winners, the Tories and Labour.
According to the accounts filed with the Electoral Commission the party had 27 full members at year-end 2004 and 85 'supporters'. [1]
This party should not be confused with the England First group that seeks to continue the work of the International Third Position and the Political Soldier movement.
England First Party were unable to put up any Candidates in the May 2005 general election.
On 2 June 2005, the England First Party, announced that it was to merge with the White Nationalist Party and the Spearhead Group to become the Nationalist Alliance. Despite this the party has continued operations and is preparing to put up candidates in the 2006 local elections[2].