I spent two decades immersed in far-right extremist groups like National Action I spent over 20 years immersed in the world of extremism when when I was an active member of far […]

I spent over 20 years immersed in the world of extremism when when I was an active member of far right groups like National Action, which was banned earlier this month.

I joined the National Front when I was fifteen years old, believing that it was an anti-IRA organisation. Soon after my father died when I was very vulnerable I was groomed and then recruited into the ranks of even more extreme groups, like the violent British National Socialist Movement and Combat 18 (C18).

Openly glorifying Hitler

National Action is at the extreme end of the spectrum. It has openly advocated the extermination of Jewish people and attacks on those opposing fascism. It has organised training camps for recruits and at its aggressive demonstrations, its members have teamed up with Polish and Russian neo-Nazi hooligans to threaten those who oppose them.

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The extreme right wing wants discord, violent division and a race war

Unlike some groups on the far right, National Action openly glorifies Adolf Hitler – even referring to him as “Uncle Adolf”. It describes the Nazis as “heroes” and has apparently committed to continuing where they left off. In case anybody is unsure what that means, National Action in Yorkshire uses the slogan “Tykes gassin kikes” on Twitter – “tykes” being a term for Yorkshire folk and “kikes” being a highly abusive word for Jewish people. Another National Action branch talks about starting the ovens up again in reference to the burning of Jewish bodies in concentration camps.

A ban should work

Now that National Action has been proscribed and membership has become a criminal offence, I have no doubt that its effectiveness as an extremist organisation will be affected. All but the most dedicated activists will be asking themselves if continued membership is worth it. Based on my experience at C18, at a time when the police put the organisation under enormous pressure, some National Action members will walk away. People, no matter how extreme, have real concerns over losing their homes, jobs and families. In my experience these concerns always win – for many it was not worth it.

I was the public face of C18; an organisation that required an oath asserting there is no way out other than prison or death

We live at a time when there is a growing risk of polarisation and isolation in our towns and cities. The extreme right wing has no interest in neighbours getting along and communities learning to live and thrive together. It wants discord, violent division and a race war. If we want a cohesive and prosperous society, we must resist this and we must challenge the ideologies behind these groups.

Why I left

I finally turned my back on the far right in 2001 after witnessing several extremely violent and racist incidents. This forced me to question my beliefs and the ideology I had been fed. I started researching alternative viewpoints that exposed the basic flaws in far right thinking.

By this stage in my extremist career I had risen to become one of the trusted national organisers for the National Socialist Alliance, the public face of C18; an organisation that required an oath asserting there is no way out other than prison or death. I gave up my home, my job, my friends and left.

I moved to another city and tried to rebuild my life; rejecting everything from the past.

No one can change my past. As a 15-year-old I walked unchallenged into the world of far right extremism – the opportunity to prevent my radicalisation was missed decades ago. But we can change the world for other young people who are being targeted by groups like National Action. Ideas matter – we have to challenge dangerous and violent ideologies.

In 2015 Nigel Bromage formed Small Steps Consultants to raise awareness of the dangers of the far right.