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Patrick Harrington (activist)

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Patrick Harrington
Personal details
Born(1964-05-24)24 May 1964(age 60)
Kennington,London, United Kingdom
Alma materCity of Westminster College of Further Education (1980–1982)
Polytechnic of North London(1982–1985)
Edinburgh's Telford College(1994–1995)
West London Technology Centre (1993)
Kensington & Chelsea College (1992–1993)
College of the Distributive Trades (1991–1993)
University of Greenwich(1997–1999)
University of Northumbria(2011–2014).

Patrick Antony Harrington(born 24 May 1964) is afar-right[1]Britishpolitical activistand writer ofIrishCatholicfamily origins, who has published pamphlets by theSocial Creditadvocate and former editor of theLiverpool Newsletter,Anthony Cooney, about prominent Catholic writers such asG.K. Chesterton,J.R.R. TolkienandHilaire Belloc.[2]He is currently general secretary ofSolidarity – The Union for British Workersand a director of theThird Way,a think tank (since 1989).[3]

He is a committed and lifelongvegetarian.He has two children and lives inEdinburgh.[4]

Early years and education[edit]

Harrington was born inKennington,London, and his secondary education was at thePimlico Comprehensive SchoolandTenison's School,both also in London. His further and higher education were at City of Westminster College of Further Education (1980–82),Polytechnic of North London(1982–85),Edinburgh's Telford College(1994–95), West London Technology Centre (1993), Kensington & Chelsea College (1992–93), College of the Distributive Trades (1991–93),University of Greenwich(1997–99) and theUniversity of Northumbria(2011–14).

He has described himself as a "life-longvegetarianandpagan".[5]

Ideological development and political position[edit]

Although he first came to prominence as a leading member of theNational Frontin the 1980s, Patrick Harrington claims he has undergone substantial ideological change since he voted to disband the NF in 1989. In his profile on the Third Way website,[4]he cites RabbiMayer Schilleras a particular influence on this development. Schiller is the subject of a biography on the Third Way website, although his role in the party is unclear.[citation needed]

In an interview with Wayne John Sturgeon ofAlternative Greenmagazine, Harrington said:

"I voted for the disbandment of the National Front in 1989 which I think speaks for itself. Since that time I have worked with my Third Way colleagues for harmony and progress in our country. There are aspects of my involvement with the NF which I deeply regret. I wasted a lot of time trying to move people to more positive, inclusive positions. I should have broken with them earlier. The past, however, is gone and cannot be changed. I have rethought, rejected or refined many of my past positions. This is a process which has led me to where I am now. I hope that people would judge me on my current ideas and actions rather than re-fight the battles of the past.[6]

Sturgeon has been closely associated withTroy Southgate's variousnationalist-anarchistgroups, from theNational Revolutionary Faction(NRF)[7]to theNew Right,[8]which describes itself as "opposed to liberalism, democracy and egalitarianism".[9]

In "I Rejected National Front", an article written forThe Voice(a publication aimed at theBritish Afro-Caribbean community) and apparently published on 13 February 2006 (but reproduced on Third Way's website), Harrington wrote:

"Third Way, which I helped form in 1990, advocates harmonious relationships between all communities. Third Way welcomes the vibrant contribution that this variety brings but we are also aware that there can be friction between communities.

"We must be honest about these difficulties and work to solve problems together in a spirit of unity. Third Way policy is very different from that of the BNP which we have stood against in elections."[6]

General Secretary of Solidarity 2006 to present[edit]

In January 2006, Harrington was appointed General Secretary of Solidarity. In November 2007, following independently scrutinised elections, he was returned unopposed for a five-year period. He has since been returned unopposed for a second five-year term.

The Union Executive elected in 2012 consists of Harrington (General Secretary), Michelle Harrington, Glen Nicklasson, Graham Williamson, Clive Jefferson and David Kerr (President).[10]

Expulsion from RMT[edit]

Harrington was expelled from theNational Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers(RMT) on 27 June 2003[11]and ascribes his involvement in Solidarity to this.[citation needed]The RMT claimed in a press release that he had joined under a false name and was expelled when his identity was discovered; Harrington responded that he joined under his married name and that he was known to the union by both names and challenged the grounds for expulsion.[12]

He has claimed that the reasons given for his expulsion were a pretext to cover a political motive and accused the RMT of supporting a "New McCarthyism".[citation needed]

Directorship of the Third Way 1990 to present[edit]

TheThird Waythink tank (not be confused with the ideas associated withTony BlairandBill Clinton) advocates direct democracy alongSwisslines using referendums and citizens' initiatives, and is strongly influenced byDistributismandSocial Credit.It supports small business and co-operative ownership, while opposing over-centralised government and promoting decision making at the lowest practical level. It recruits from all religious and ethnic communities. According to accounts filed with theElectoral Commission,in 2004 Third Way had 20 members and a cash flow of approximately £1,400.

In the2005 general electionit fielded two candidates who received 376 votes between them. According to the Electoral Commission searchable database, the registration of Third Way Publications Ltd lapsed[13]and Ulster Third Way was "voluntarily deregistered" in 2005.[14]

TheNational Liberal Party (NLP)was founded in 1999 by Patrick Harrington andGraham Williamson.In 2006, the Third Way registered the nameNational Liberal Party – The Third Way.Its constitution distinguishes between "Members", "Registered Supporters" and "Supporting Subscribers". It also operates through a number of Limited Companies and Associations.

The 2012 accounts filed with the Electoral Commission do not mention Harrington and reveal membership income of about £400 and total income of about £950.[15]

Membership of the National Front 1979 to 1989[edit]

Polytechnic of North London protests[edit]

In 1984, Harrington was the subject of protests by students at thePolytechnic of North London(later the University of North London, now part ofLondon Metropolitan University), whopicketedhis lectures to protest against his being able to studyphilosophywhile a prominent member of theNational Front(NF), which he joined in 1979, and deputy editor of its publicationNF News.Students argued that his presence made life intolerable for ethnic minority students.[citation needed]Harrington disputed this and insisted on his right to attend lectures. He obtained a courtinjunctionto stop the picketing; the protestors, backed by theirstudents' union,ignored this.[16]Two student leaders were sent to jail for 16 days for contempt of a court order preventing them from barring Harrington from college.[17]

In December 1984, Dr David MacDowall, the Polytechnic's director, resigned after pressure from theInner London Education Authority(ILEA) to make a complaint against Harrington for remarks he made in a radio interview. ILEA said the remarks were racist, which Harrington denied.[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.[20]

In January 1985, with final exams approaching, the students' union, Harrington and the Polytechnic administration agreed a deal in which all of Harrington's classes would be taught in an annexe away from the main building. His fellow students boycotted these lectures and many lecturers taught them informally.[21]Harrington eventually graduated with a philosophy degree.[22]

Official National Front[edit]

In the late 1980s, the National Front underwent aschism.Harrington sided with thePolitical Soldiergroup that includedNick Griffin(who later became leader of theBritish National Party) andDerek Holland.This group eventually termed itself theOfficial National Front.The ideas of Harrington and his allies led to alienation of some NF supporters with theFlag Groupsplitting off to follow more traditional NF ideas.[23]Harrington was involved in one of the manifestations of these divisions in the1989 Vauxhall by-electionwhen, as a candidate, one of his opponents wasTed Buddenof the Flag Group.[24]In September 1988, the three men visitedLibyaas a guest of theGaddafiregime.[23]In October, the Political Soldier NF was the subject of aChannel 4documentary,Disciples of Chaosin which Harrington was interviewed.[25]

There was another schism in 1989 when Harrington andGraham Williamsonparted company with Griffin and Holland.[23]The ONF had opened dialogue with groups like theNation of Islamand the Pan-Afrikan International Movement.[23]According to Harrington's account of the split, when he opened discussion withJewishnationalistandanti-Zionist[26]rabbiMayer Schiller(see section on Harrington's ideological development below) and advocated atwo-state solutionto theIsraeli–Palestinian conflict,he was attacked as a "Zionist".[23]Harrington and Williamson attended pro-Palestiniandemonstrations such as the 1988Quds Daymarch inLondon,as part of an ONF strategy to show support forMuslimanti-Zionists.[27]

For their part, Griffin and Holland claimed that Harrington's refusal to condemn theIRAhad been the cause of many problems.[28]Party members in Ulster sided with Harrington. In late 1989, Harrington voted for the disbandment of the Official National Front and joined with others to form theThird Wayin 1990. Griffin and Holland formed theInternational Third Position.Later Griffin left this group and joined the BNP.

Relationship with Skrewdriver/Blood & Honour[edit]

As an official of the NF, Harrington was involved in administering theWhite Noise Club,which organisedwhite powermusic concerts featuring, among others,Skrewdriver.In 1987, the Political Soldier group fell out withIan Stuart,the lead singer of Skrewdriver. Stuart responded by setting up his own group,Blood & Honour,whose eponymous publication openly attacked his former NF associates. They in turn denounced Stuart. Harrington and Holland are allegedly the subjects of the Skrewdriver song "A Time of Change", included on their 1988 albumAfter the Fire.[29]

Allegations of links with state security[edit]

In February 1990,Searchlightmagazine alleged that Harrington had ongoing connections toSpecial BranchandMI6.Harrington has denied any such links.[citation needed]

Connection to Nick Griffin and the BNP[edit]

Harrington has had previous links withNick Griffinand has provided legal services in the past to theBritish 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 entitledTaking Liberties,with an article by Griffin. In the editorial Harrington wrote, "Let me nail my colours to the mast. I believe that speech (and other forms of expression) should be protected regardless of content or viewpoint. I am against any law that seeks to discriminate against any religious, racial or political group. I'm also against any law that favours one such interest group over another."

Harrington defends his decision to publish an article from Griffin on civil liberties grounds.[citation needed]His role as general secretary of Solidarity, and its association with the BNP, is discussed above.

Change in position?[edit]

Harrington has argued that he has moved away from many of his previous positions.[citation needed]Before the2019 general election,he told members of Solidarity that he would be voting Labour, and wrote, "[L]ooking at the domestic economy and rights for workers Labour's promises are unmatched. I want to see re-Nationalisation and I want to see attacks on the rights of ordinary workers reversed. I want ordinary people to have more control over their working lives."[30]After the election, Harrington stated, "I made it clear during the election campaign that I, as an individual, supported and would vote Labour because of the pro-worker policies in their manifesto. 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."[31]

Publications[edit]

Harrington's published works include:

  • The Third Way – An Answer to Blair(ISBN0-9535077-0-X)
  • The Third Way Manifesto 1997(ISBN0-9544788-7-8)
  • The Third Way Manifesto 2001(with Cliff Morrison) (ISBN0-9535077-9-3)
  • The Third Way Manifesto 2005(editor) (ISBN0-9544788-4-3)
  • Catholic Social Teaching(with Anthony Cooney and John Medaille) (ISBN0-9535077-6-9)
  • Tolkien and Politics(with Anthony Cooney andDavid Kerr) (ISBN0-9544788-2-7)
  • Taking Liberties – A Third Way Special on Attacks on Civil Liberties in the UK(withNick Griffin,Graham Williamson, Tim Bragg and David Kerr) (ISBN0-9544788-5-1)
  • Taking Liberties 2 – The New McCarthyism(with Sean Gabb, Henry Falconer, Robert Henderson and Tim Bragg) (ISBN0-9544788-6-X)
  • Counter Culture Anthology(Edited by Tim Bragg with many essays by Harrington) (ISBN1-84728-118-4)
  • TOLKIEN: Redescubriendo el lenguaje del mito y la aventura(various authors with a contribution from Harrington) (ISBN978-84-941924-0-1)
  • Orwell: Viviendo el futuro y recordando el pasado(various authors with a contribution from Harrington) (ISBN978-84-944210-2-0)

References[edit]

  1. ^David Wade Crane, "Linkages: Political Topography and Networked Topology" in Marsha Kinder, Tara McPherson (eds),Transmedia Frictions: The Digital, the Arts, and the Humanities,p 226ISBN9780520281851
    - Matthew Collins,"far-right round up",Hope not hate,10 July 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
    - Matthew Collins,"far-right round up",Hope not hate,19 June 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  2. ^Anthony Cooney,G.K. Chesterton - One Sword at Least,Third Way Publications, London 1998
    - Anthony Cooney, Patrick Harrington,David Kerr (Northern Ireland politician),Tolkien and Politics,Third Way Publications, London 2003
    - Anthony Cooney,Hilaire Belloc: 1870-1953,Third Way Publications, London 1997
  3. ^Peter Barberis, John McHugh, Mike Tyldesley,Encyclopedia of British and Irish Political Organizations,p 193, London 2003
  4. ^abThird Way Biographies,thirdway.info; accessed 1 April 2016.
  5. ^Anarcho-Green Nazis
  6. ^abWelcome to Third Way,thirdway.info; accessed 1 April 2016.
  7. ^National Revolutionary Faction – Interview with the NRF,nationalbolshevik; accessed 23 January 2016.
  8. ^InterviewArchived27 September 2007 at theWayback Machine,vivamalta.org; accessed 23 January 2016.
  9. ^Yahoo! Groups: New Right,archive.org; accessed 23 January 2015.
  10. ^Solidarity,gov.uk; accessed 23 January 2016.
    - See article onSolidarityfor more details.
  11. ^Kevin Ovenden,"RMT",Socialist Worker,5 July 2003, Issue No. 1858
  12. ^Kevin Maguire,"Friendly fire",Guardian online,3 July 2003
    - Press Complaints Commission:Past Decisions: Mr. Patrick Harrington
  13. ^Electoral Commission: Report Ref No TP949, gives a registration date of 2 March 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  14. ^Electoral Commission: Report Ref No PP31 records Ulster Third Way registered on 16 February 2001 and deregistered on 2 February 2005; retrieved 11 November 2013.
  15. ^Electoral Commission Ref No.ST0008002: NATIONAL LIBERAL PARTY, The Third Way – Statement of Accounts 2012 (Retrieved 11 November 2013)
  16. ^Searchlight,June 1984
  17. ^The Times,29 November 1984.
  18. ^The Times,8 December 1984.
  19. ^Nigel Copsey,Anti-Fascism in Britain(Macmillan 2000), p. 156
  20. ^The Times,15 December 1984, 19 December 1984.
  21. ^The Times,8 January 1985.
  22. ^For more detail on the Harrington/PNL affair see Copsey,Anti-Fascism in Britain,pp. 155–57
  23. ^abcdeN. Copsey,Contemporary British Fascism: The British National Party and the Quest for Legitimacy,Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004, p. 45ISBN0230574378
  24. ^Boothroyd, David."Results of Byelections in the 1987-92 Parliament".United Kingdom Election Results.Retrieved6 December2015.
  25. ^"Disciples of Chaos".
  26. ^"JUDAISM and NATIONALISM « THIRDWAY THINK-TANK | the Voice of the Radi…".Archived fromthe originalon 13 February 2013.
  27. ^Cheles, Ferguson & Vaughan,Neo-Fascism in Europep.260
  28. ^Searchlight,February 1990
  29. ^Searchlight,February 1988.
  30. ^"Unions line up behind Labour Manifesto"Archived5 August 2020 at theWayback Machine,Solidarity website, 25 November 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  31. ^"Unions tell Labour it got it wrong and it's time to move on from Remain"Archived5 August 2020 at theWayback Machine,Solidarity website, 17 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.

External links[edit]

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