EDL boss Tommy Robinson quits group.

[dipsydoodle]

English Defence League leader and founder Tommy Robinson has left the group, saying he has concerns over the "dangers of far-right extremism".

The EDL organises protests across the UK against "radical Islam".

Mr Robinson said it was still his aim to "counter Islamist ideology", although "not with violence but with better, democratic ideas".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24442953

[LeftishBrit]

1. Frankenstein created a monster there...

[dipsydoodle]

2. Its partly his background.

He is or at least was Top Boy of Luton MIGS. It seems to be football firms which link the different geographical areas of the EDF. I reckon the EDF will fizzle out now.

I got the impression recently that he was sailing close to wind on getting imprisoned I guess he's decided its time to bailout encouraged by the Quilliam Group.

[LeftishBrit]

3. Yes, perhaps was risking more legal trouble than he could handle

I wish this meant the EDL would fizzle out, but I suspect that it will continue, even if perhaps under a new name.

[tjwmason]

4. These things do tend to reappear with new names

However, there is often a breathing space while the new body gets going and the movement gets over the split - cf. the National Front and the B.N.P.

Speaking of which, has anybody seen any polling data about them? As they're defending seats at the European elections next year...

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. The latest EU poll I can find is from May; it puts the BNP at 1%

ie too small to measure accurately - which I hope means they won't get anywhere near enough to get anyone elected.

http://www.comres.co.uk/polls/Open_Europe_EU_and_Westminster_VI_Poll_May_2013.pdf

p.31: UKIP 27%, Labour 23%, Con 21%, LD 18%, SNP 39% (in Scotland), Green 4%, Plaid 15% (in Wales)

The BNP get up to '4%' in the North West region, but that's just 3 replies, so highly uncertain. Over the whole of GB, they got 8 people out of 718 saying they were certain to vote next year.

[non sociopath skin]

7. It really sticks in my craw ...

... that a not inconsiderable number of UKIP time-servers who don't believe that the EU should exist will be elected to collect sizeable allowances and expenses for which - by definition - they will do nothing.

Truly, there en't nowt so queer as folks ...

The Skin

[LeftishBrit]

8. I sometimes say that the motto of UKIP is 'Hate the EU; love its gravy train!'

[LeftishBrit]

6. Some interesting comments from Hope Not Hate

http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/blog/article/3123/the-road-to-damascus-or-a-political-stunt-lennon-leaves-the-edl

[dipsydoodle]

9. By coincidence

Fugitive EDL leader convicted of botched raid on hydroponics shop used FACEBOOK to taunt police about his 'day out' at London tourist attractions.

One of the founding members of the EDL who went on the run before his trial for a botched violent robbery used his Facebook page to check in at London attractions.

Former English Defence League spokesman, Guramit Singh Kalirai, was meant to face court over a raid on a gardening shop in which he and two accomplices tied up a staff member and threatened to cut their throat.

However, after being given bail, he failed to appear at court last month and went on the run, all the while checking in at London attractions, and changing his profile picture to one of him looking relaxed, while sipping champagne and smoking a cigar.

He was found guilty a week later of attempted robbery by a jury and given six-and-a-half years in jail in his absence.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2451739/Fugitive-EDL-leader-convicted-botched-raid-hydroponics-shop-used-FACEBOOK-taunt-police-day-London-tourist-attractions.html#ixzz2hJrITnPz