The National Democrats is the name of a right wing nationalist party in the United Kingdom that has campaigned vigorously against immigration and asylum.
The party was formed from a split in the National Front in 1995; some members of NF decided to change the name to the National Democrats while others preferred the old name.
The party noticeably moderated the policies of the NF in an attempt to win more popular appeal and avoid allegations of "extremism".
Despite running in the 1997 general election, they have thus far failed to establish themselves as a mainstream political party unlike their rivals in the British National Party who have eclipsed them on the far right of the British political spectrum. The NDs were severely damaged immediately before that election when it was revealed by The Sunday Times that leading members Andy and Paula Carmichael were working for MI5, a move that also damaged the Referendum Party where Andy Carmichael was regonial organiser. Where the West Midlands had been a stronghold it now began to fall apart and in 1998 the local branch decided to switch over to the BNP, leaving only a small number of party loyalists behind.
Under the leadership of Ian Anderson the National Democrats have largely abandoned their attempts to gain electoral success and now operate as a pressure group under the name Campaign for National Democracy. They still publish The Flag magazine from time to time.
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