An MP has hit out at the British National Party’s attempt to get elected in Whitehaven, claiming it is “insulting and damaging the reputation” of the town. Copeland MP Jamie Reed slammed the far right’s efforts to secure the vacant Copeland Borough Council Harbour ward seat.
Last month 44-year-old Bill Pugh, of Melbreak Close, Mirehouse, was named as the party’s candidate in next Thursday’s by-election. Mr Pugh was born and raised in the town and was in the army for 20 years, serving in Northern Ireland, Germany, Hong Kong and Singapore. The father-of-four said he will campaign for a return to weekly refuse collection, is against any plans for a mosque and against pensioners having to sell their homes to pay for care.
But the Labour MP said the BNP campaign was an insult to both the town and the people of Harbour ward. He said: “For the BNP to assume that the people of Harbour ward share their racist views and to calculate that they have a chance of victory there is a grotesque insult. The presence of the BNP in Whitehaven unfairly damages the reputation of the town – but our reputation can be further enhanced by rejecting the BNP extremists at the ballot box. The BNP has flooded the area with campaign workers from all over the county and country because there is such little local support. The BNP cares nothing for Whitehaven or the people of Harbour ward.”
Last month the Rev John Bannister urged voters to “consider carefully and responsibly” which candidate to support. Mr Reed said: “The Rev John Bannister, like right-minded people everywhere, was entirely right to air concerns about the presence of the BNP in Whitehaven and their efforts to be elected to Copeland Borough Council. Most people in Copeland will either know someone or be related to someone who fought against the Nazis during the Second World War. Many people will have lost friends and family in that fight against fascism. For the BNP to fetch fascism to our town is an insult to those who fought, those who suffered and those who lost loved ones during that conflict.”
And Mr Reed believes on polling day people will have the chance to exercise their democratic right and stand up for the values of the town and community by rejecting the BNP. “I urge everyone to use this right, to not be complacent and to take pride in showing the BNP that its brand of prejudice isn’t welcome in Whitehaven.”
Whitehaven Rugby League Club, in partnership with Cumbria Constabulary, recently launched an anti-racism campaign at the match against Castleford. This included a list of the dozens of non-British players who have played for Whitehaven over the years.
Carlisle News and Star
September 15, 2007
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9 comments:
"An MP has hit out at the British National Party’s attempt to get elected in Whitehaven, claiming it is “insulting and damaging the reputation” of the town."
Like it or lump it, its their democratic to stand there.
Assuming you meant it's their democratic right to stand there, so it is - but it's still an insult for an undemocratic and racist party packed with thugs and liars to stand there.
Yes I did mean democratic right.
On the subject of undemocratic parties, wasn't it Labour that promised a referendum on the new EU treaty in their 2005 election manifecto? That hasn't happened yet has it? They're still trying to force it on us regardless of what the majority may want. Not very democratic are they?
I'm a member, am I a thug, nazi or liar.
The answer to all three is no!
Reversing the question - are you?
The answer is you wish, yes and yes.
Please can I point out that the Facist "Bill Pugh" candidate in Whitehaven on the 20th is not connected with the Labour Party Candidate (Rich' Pugh)in the Moriah Ward election for Merthyr Tydfil CBC on the same day.
"On the subject of undemocratic parties, wasn't it Labour that promised a referendum on the new EU treaty in their 2005 election manifecto? That hasn't happened yet has it? They're still trying to force it on us regardless of what the majority may want. Not very democratic are they?"
And what exactly has that to do with LUAF?
"The answer is you wish, yes and yes."
You might not be a thug, nazi or liar but you're definitely a moron. Why would anyone at LUAF (or anywhere, for that matter) wish to be a thug?
anon said....im a member, am i a thug, a nazi, a liar.....there is an old saying, "if you walk like a dog, bark like a dog, then you are a dog".
Join a party whose policies are nazi policies, whose leadership lies and steals, whose membership is full of thugs and murderers, well i will leave it to your imagination.
but of course you are a muppet, so you wont have much of that.....
Returning to the original subject - "MP condemns BNP for standing" ....
has anybody ever considered whether such statements are wise or unwise:
What is the general public response:
a) my MP says they are bad; I must study them carefully, and vote against them
or
b) I'll vote for who I want to Mr MP - who are you to tell me - and when the BNP tells me they are a persecuted party, picked on by the LabConLib Party ... I might just believe them.....
Just a thought
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