The counter protest by Stand Up to Racism and other anti fascist groups makes its way down Kingsway towards Trafalgar Square on September 13, 2025 in London, England.

How do we define the far-right?

It’s a phrase which has been long associated with those on the political fringes, like the English Defence League (EDL) and the British National Party (BNP).

But as concerns over rising immigration grow, Reform UK gains prominence, and Donald Trump’s administration settles in for its second term, it is a description which is rising in prominence once again.

Tommy Robinson (aka Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) galvanised more than 100,000 people to march through London earlier this month to protest the supposed suppression of free speech – though many who took part reject any suggestion that they themselves are far-right.

But what exactly makes something or someofar-right? Here’s what you need to know.

What is the far-right?

According to the European Commission, the “extreme right” consists of five characteristics: nationalism, racism, xenophobia, calls for a strong state and an anti-democratic attitude.

Yet the Commission said not all of these traits need to be present for it to qualify as far-right extremism.

Campaigners at Hope Not Hate have also warned that the term is not interchangeable with fascism.

They describe it is an umbrella term which encompasses the “radical right” – who still believe in the essence of democracy – and the “extreme far right” – who reject the ballot box.

Hope Not Hate then claimed the definition of “far right” has not been broadened in recent years, but what we see as normal has changed.

“More ‘mainstream’ figures........

© HuffPost