George Galloway declared war on the BNP at the official launch of Respect for Barking and Dagenham. The left-wing MP - who wants to recruit members and candidates for future borough elections - threw down the gauntlet to the 'jack-booted Holocaust deniers.'
Mr Galloway stood before 100 people at a meeting on Thursday and said: "White working class people who are angry about their position in life have transferred that onto black people and other minorities. Once upon a time they had good wages, good quality council housing, and good public services. But now there's a huge housing problem in Barking and Dagenham, with too many people living in run-down council houses, and thousands on the waiting list. When that happens and suddenly a number of foreigners appear on the same street, the consequences are not surprising. But we mustn't blame those who are taken in by the jack-booted Holocaust deniers with their Hitler packs under their covers at night. We must win them over."
The Tower Hamlets MP cited the success of his party in the East London borough, saying: "Ten years ago, the BNP had 10 councillors in Tower Hamlets, now it's a no-go zone for them. Respect is here in Barking and Dagenham because we feel there's no way the core Labour vote is going to stop the rise of the BNP - we have to fill that gap."
Mr Galloway rounded off a line-up of guest speakers at the Eton Community Centre, in Ilford, that included the Fire Brigade Union's regional organiser, Paul Embery. He told the Post: "I'm deeply disturbed by the rise of the BNP, and have no hesitation in saying they do need to be tackled head on - we need to build up the left. I was born and bred in Barking and Dagenham, my parents were born and brought up here, and my grandparents were in that generation who fought to prevent the fascists moving in. I think it is incumbent on our generation that their good work is not undone."
The launch was also attended by anti-fascist organisations, Love Music Hate Racism, and Unite Against Fascism.
Barking and Dagenham Post
February 19, 2007
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4 comments:
"Ten years ago, the BNP had 10 councillors in Tower Hamlets, now it's a no-go zone for them.
??? Did I miss all that?
threw down the gauntlet to the 'jack-booted Holocaust deniers.'
It's a pity he doesn't throw the same gauntlet down to the anti-Semites a little closer to home.
We all did. That moron Beacon was around and that was all that I recall. Either it's a misprint or George was confused by cigar smoke.
If local MP Margaret Hodge could do little to counter the BNP then what can George Galloway do?
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