Radio Enoch
Encyclopedia
Radio Enoch was a pirate radio
station in the United Kingdom
, operating out of the West Midlands
, homeland of its namesake, Enoch Powell
. Radio Enoch professed a socially right-wing viewpoint, and also extolled the virtues of Capitalism
and Privatisation. The manager claimed it operated as an unlicensed station because its views on race and immigration
would prevent it from being able to broadcast in what it deemed a "socialist" media. The station also expressed support for the white minority rule governments of Rhodesia
and South Africa
. The station was launched in 1978, broadcasting hour-long shows monthly.
The group behind Radio Enoch called themselves "People Against Marxism
".
The General Post Office
had some trouble in shutting down Radio Enoch although it knew about 200 people were involved with the station. The broadcasts were transmitted from a variety of sites across the United Kingdom
: this meant that the authorities were always two steps behind. Transmitting equipment was put into storage between broadcasts.
The rise of Thatcherism
and a more conservative political climate signalled the end of Radio Enoch's usefulness. Its purpose in returning a Tory
government complete, Radio Enoch stopped broadcasting in June 1980, vowing to return if a socialist
government returned, although it never did after the Labour party victory of 1997.
Pirate radio
Pirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation...
station in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, operating out of the West Midlands
West Midlands (region)
The West Midlands is an official region of England, covering the western half of the area traditionally known as the Midlands. It contains the second most populous British city, Birmingham, and the larger West Midlands conurbation, which includes the city of Wolverhampton and large towns of Dudley,...
, homeland of its namesake, Enoch Powell
Enoch Powell
John Enoch Powell, MBE was a British politician, classical scholar, poet, writer, and soldier. He served as a Conservative Party MP and Minister of Health . He attained most prominence in 1968, when he made the controversial Rivers of Blood speech in opposition to mass immigration from...
. Radio Enoch professed a socially right-wing viewpoint, and also extolled the virtues of Capitalism
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
and Privatisation. The manager claimed it operated as an unlicensed station because its views on race and immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
would prevent it from being able to broadcast in what it deemed a "socialist" media. The station also expressed support for the white minority rule governments of Rhodesia
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. The station was launched in 1978, broadcasting hour-long shows monthly.
The group behind Radio Enoch called themselves "People Against Marxism
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
".
The General Post Office
General Post Office
General Post Office is the name of the British postal system from 1660 until 1969.General Post Office may also refer to:* General Post Office, Perth* General Post Office, Sydney* General Post Office, Melbourne* General Post Office, Brisbane...
had some trouble in shutting down Radio Enoch although it knew about 200 people were involved with the station. The broadcasts were transmitted from a variety of sites across the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
: this meant that the authorities were always two steps behind. Transmitting equipment was put into storage between broadcasts.
The rise of Thatcherism
Thatcherism
Thatcherism describes the conviction politics, economic and social policy, and political style of the British Conservative politician Margaret Thatcher, who was leader of her party from 1975 to 1990...
and a more conservative political climate signalled the end of Radio Enoch's usefulness. Its purpose in returning a Tory
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
government complete, Radio Enoch stopped broadcasting in June 1980, vowing to return if a socialist
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
government returned, although it never did after the Labour party victory of 1997.