Patrick Harrington
Patrick "Pat" Harrington (born 24 May 1964) is a former member of the National Front, [1], one of the original founders of Third Way[2] (UK) and is currently General Secretary of the far right trade union, Solidarity - The Union for British Workers.[3]
Contents
Education
Harrington attended Pimlico Comprehensive and later Archbishop Tenison’s Grammar School.[4]
Political trajectory
National Front 1979-1989
Patrick Harrington joined the National Front (NF) in 1979[5] and it was because of this that, in 1984, he was the target of protests whilst studying philosophy at the Polytechnic of North London. An article in The Guardian stated:
- "The Polytechnic of North London students demonstrated against the presence of National Front activist Patrick Harrington, who insisted on his right to study there. A series of divisive court actions and a great deal of damaging publicity resulted. NUS president Phil Woollas, now a Labour MP, said the polytechnic was "simply not functioning any more," with students barred from certain buildings and refusing to attend lectures with Mr Harrington , and lecturers defying the courts by refusing to give names of students on demonstrations outside the college."[6]
British Conservative philosopher Roger Scruton defended Harrington's right to education stating "One does not have to be a National Front sympathizer to wonder who, in this encounter, is the 'fascist'."[7]
In 1983 a coup within the National Front expelled the old guard, then dominated by Martin Webster, from the organisation. The coup was staged by a group of National Front members which included Patrick Harrington and Nick Griffin. They referred to themselves as 'revolutionaries' and 'political soldiers'.[8]
Political soldier faction
Third Way 1990-present
Patrick Harrington helped found Third Way in 1990.[9] Third Way describes itself as:
- "...a think-tank dedicated to creating a society based on Justice, Community and Individual freedom against one that is based on Greed, Globalisation and Tyranny.
- Third Way stands against all forms of social injustice, racism and religious bigotry. Third Way is for everyone. We promote positive ideas and apart from this website also publish printed material. We advocate Direct Democracy along Swiss lines using referenda and citizens’ initiatives.
- We support small business and co-operative ownership.
- We also support organisations that promote these ideals in other areas."<ref>'About 3W', Third Way website<\ref>
Expelled from the RMT - 2003
BNP connections
General Secretary of 'Solidarity' -
Notes
- ↑ Andrew Moncur, Education Staff 'NF student faces class isolation / Patrick Harrington at the Polytechnic of North London', The Guardian (London), January 29, 1985.
- ↑ Andrew Gilligan 'Stealthy march of the far-right; Margaret Hodge has warned of the rise of the BNP, but a far more insidious threat is posed by the 'Trojan Horse' parties', The Evening Standard (London) April 18, 2006 Tuesday, SECTION: A Pg. 18
- ↑ Copyright statement, Solidarity website
- ↑ 'Biographies', Third Way website
- ↑ 'Biographies', Third Way website
- ↑ Donald MacLeod, 'Rows and right wingers', The Guardian, 2 June 2003
- ↑ Marcus Eliason, 'Activist's College Studies Stir Furor', The Associated Press, 30 May 1984
- ↑ Stephen Cook, 'Conflict of interest gives NF identity crisis: Sixteen years after Bloody Sunday', The Guardian, 14 February 1997
- ↑ 'Biographies', Third Way website
