In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland delve into the rise of British fascism, focusing on the figure of Oswald Mosley. They discuss Mosley's background, his early political career, and his evolving ideologies, from his initial foray into conservatism to his embrace of Labour and eventual founding of the British Union of Fascists. The hosts analyze Mosley's appeal to various segments of society, including ex-servicemen, women, and even some members of the aristocracy, while also examining the factors that contributed to the decline of his movement, such as the violence at Olympia and the Night of the Long Knives. They explore the complex dynamics of British politics in the 1930s, the fear of communism, and the reasons why many establishment figures ultimately withdrew their support from Mosley's fascist project.
