An analysis of the British National Party’s Discourse:

In the context of the rise of the far right and populist extremism across Europe, this study focuses on the British National Party. The study period ranges from 2001 to 2010, following Nick Griffin’s ascension to Chairman of the party and his subsequent engagement in parliamentary politics. In analysing the party’s election manifestos from the years of 2001, 2005, and 2010 using the technique of ‘reading against the grain’, a historical development over time is identifiable. This gives insight into the strategies used and tactics employed by the British National Party in attempting to achieve electoral success. How the language, approach, and argumentation adapts and evolves over time forms the basis of this study, which offers an explanation for these developments through considering the changing context. This study details how the British National Party seeks to offer a ‘radical but commonsense program for change’ in different years, while its core policies and ideology remain largely unchanged.