Musicians and unions unite over BNP

Politicians, trade unions, religious and ethnic leaders and musicians gathered to plan a heightened campaign against the British National Party (BNP).

The Unite Against Fascism conference in central London saw former Specials musician Jerry Dammers and the group Babyshambles joined Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain, Muslim and Jewish leaders, students and gay rights campaigners to discuss how to combat the far right organisation.

Delegates discussed why communities should unite against the BNP and strategies to stop them gaining votes, as well as how to defend multi-culturalism, challenge homophobia and prevent the party gaining a platform in the media and education.

Mr Hain was heckled as he rose to speak, with a delegate shouting: "You are a minister of a racist government. You have no right to be here." Mr Hain did not respond but went on to say: "The BNP now poses a bigger threat with its poison of racist and fascist ideas than we've had for probably 30 years in British politics. It is vital that everybody stands together, whatever their politics, whatever their background to say that we are standing for a belief in a society based on multi-racialism, multi-culturalism and multi faith, and we are proud that Britain is such a society."

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber told delegates: "Some people have said 'don't give the BNP credit by taking them too seriously'. We can't afford to take that risk. That's the message of today's conference - that the BNP have to be fought, and they have to be fought on every level."

Holocaust survivor Henry Guterman MBE said 80 members of his family had died in Nazi concentration camps, adding: "Can you therefore understand my disdain for the BNP who deny that the Holocaust happened."

Also attending the conference were Keith Sonnet, Deputy General Secretary of Unison and Dr Mohammed Abdul Bari, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain.

Daily Mail