Tamworth's only independent councillor has admitted aiding the far-right wing British National Party with their election campaign in last week's byelection.
Councillor Chris Cooke's firm PDQ printed the postal vote letters for the BNP candidate Lynne Smith. Councillor Cooke, representing Glascote, yesterday admitted helping post the letters to voters, prior to the Castle Ward by-election. Coun Cooke also told the Tamworth Times: "I am against the European Union, and I think immigration has gone far too far."
Defending his assistance to the BNP, Coun Cooke said the printing was a business decision. He had helped Ms Smith gain access to blocks of flats, and posted some of the letters himself. He said he had a long-standing friendship with Ms Smith.
He added: "I said I would print material for any of the other parties. I knew the BNP candidate before she was a candidate, so it is quite natural for me to help her. I had no hand in it, apart from helping her get into the high rise flats. I explained to her how to do that and delivered the leaflets."
Coun Cooke denied that there was a conflict of interest between his role as an independent councillor and helping the BNP campaign. He did not believe he had let down the people who voted for him.
He said: "I am what I am. Everyone knows my views as a councillor, and as an independent I am beholden to nobody."
In a recent letter to Tamworth residents, Coun Cooke defended BNP candidates, saying they had become the victims of 'hysterical propaganda' for 'daring to stand for a legal political party that says immigration has gone too far and we must get out of the EU'. On the candidates for the Castle byelection, Coun Cooke wrote: "not one of them would disgrace our council."
Both the leaders of the Conservative and Labour groups on Tamworth Borough Council expressed their disappointment at Coun Cooke's actions. Both stopped short of calling for his immediate resignation, but said he should not stand as an independent again.
Coun Peter Seekings (Lab) said: "I am absolutely shocked that he would deliver leaflets for a party that in my opinion is a racist party. I think he has let down his constituents because he has always claimed to be an independent. It is going to be very difficult for him to be elected again as an independent."
Coun Jeremy Oates (Con) added: "I am very disappointed in his actions. When people voted for him, he was standing as a candidate independent of any political party. If he wishes to align himself with the BNP he should say so when seeking election."
The Castle Ward seat was up for grabs following the retirement of Conservative councillor, Graham Ingley, who stepped down due to ill health. The by-election was won by former Mayor Marion Couchman (Lab) --by just six votes. She took the seat with 619 votes. The Conservative candidate, Ian Stuart, won 613 votes, followed by the British National Party candidate Lynne Smith with 208 votes. Jenny Pinkett, for the Liberal Democrats, won 95 votes.
Overall, 5593 votes were cast. This represented 27.4 per cent of the electorate. The result does not significantly change the make-up of the council. There are now six Labour councillors, 23 Conservatives, and one independent.
icTamworth
November 15, 2007
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24 comments:
Hardly a suprising story. The BNP are known for trying to get such help but what the unsuspecting don't know is, Darby or Griffin gives their details to the press after the event in the hope of gaining a new member or councillor.
Chris Cooke has been helping the BNP in the West Midlands for a period of time.
He regularly delivers leaflets for them and is a staunch supporter on the CDA Yahoo group.
"Hardly a suprising story. The BNP are known for trying to get such help but what the unsuspecting don't know is, Darby or Griffin gives their details to the press after the event in the hope of gaining a new member or councillor."
Sorry, but this has to come under the heading of 'paranoid loony'. Since when has the BNP been "known" for asking other parties to help in their election campaigns, or "known" for putting up candidadtes who are personal friends of other elected councillors, in the hope that they will help them? So far as I can remember, the nearest to this happenning before has been several years ago in Burnley, when Steven Smith (then the darling of the BNP, now disgusted with Griffin and in the England First Party) wrote to all independant councillors, and later all Lib Dem, then all Labour, finally all Tories, asking them to join the BNP - with zero results other than the respective parties giving the BNP acres of free publicity in the local press after they received the letters, and much later, the UKIP candidate in Dartford signed the nomination papers for the BNP in a by-election - it appears that they were good friends, and UKIP have failed to take any action.
Two incidents, over a period of almost ten years, neither even closely resembling this incident, hardly constitutes the BNP being "known" for this!
I also think it very unlikely that the BNP then leaked the information to the press. They would rather have a sitting councillor who was very friendly and could give them advice on what was being debated behind closed doors and so forth, than risk upsetting a potential supporter/member/floor-crosser. Much more likely is that it was leaked by one of the main parties, as, as the article says, the company run by the councillor printed the leaflets so, by law, it will have the company name and address on each and every piece of literature printed. One of the others (my money would be on Labour, who, when it comes to the BNP, as in so many other areas, are hardly known for intelligent responses) has probably seen the leaflet and gone ape-shit, decided that being independant means being anti-BNP and wants to try to force an elected councillor to resign.
Whatever the arguements about now being alligned with a party (the links are pretty weak, regardless), the above comment is rubbish, and sounds much more like a paranoid far-right conspiracy theorist than a sensible human being.
Just goes to show that the left has its lunatics as well!
While we're on about councillors how come no election report on Heighington and Washingborough?
"the above comment is rubbish, and sounds much more like a paranoid far-right conspiracy theorist than a sensible human being.
Just goes to show that the left has its lunatics as well!
11:48 AM, November 16, 2007"
Is that why whenever a prominent member of the oppo attends BNP meetings, Griffin, makes sure they are filmed or photographed shaking his hand so it can be used as leverage? Or, how about him calling the press to tell them his own father manned the BNP hotline for publicity? IDIOT.
Glad I was shown this! Can't believe the rumour-mongering that goes on on the internet!! Actually the reporter told me who gave him the information - a local Tory - it was hardly top secret - it had my name all over the leaflets!! Although if you want to believe it was some BNP top brass feel free!! :-)
Actually - if you want the full story contact me through website details (available here - sorry website a bit out of date at the moment - or just Google!). I’d love to show you the scurrilous, and grossly untrue so-called “anti-fascist” leaflet that sought to demonise the BNP candidate in this election - and my reply!
You know now what I did - no probs - but what I’d like to know is which uneducated morons could have put out such a show-piece of venomous ignorance. Not anybody on this forum was it?? They tried to undermine a perfectly normal election. There should be a law! Glad to give them back a bit of their own!
Yours - a true Independant and believer in fair play!
Good evening, Councillor Cooke.
We meet again.
You will recall that long before all this, on the icCoventry forum, I repeatedly asked you the simple, straightforward question - during the Bedworth Bede ward by-election earlier this year, did you deliver BNP leaflets to voters' homes?
I asked you day in, day out.
You repeatedly evaded giving any answer. This went on for so long that even the moderators (who are journalists) took to asking you why you would neither confirm or deny the allegation - and again you obsfucated.
Shortly after that, you seem to have disappeared from the Coventry forum.
Happily for you, most of the threads in which this took place have been deleted, as icCoventry refuses to allow its forums to become a platform for the BNP, its fellow travellers and others who consistently intervene to support the BNP position.
Our exchange led to me being contacted by two Midland journalists who were concerned that those who elected you had a right to know exactly where you stood, viz-a-viz the BNP. And that matter of whether you had delivered BNP leaflets in the Bede by-election.
I was all in favour of hanging you out to twist in the wind, but was asked by anti-fascist friends already aware of you to refrain from going public. There were good operational reasons for that, and so I complied - but with the deepest reservations, as I felt it was only a matter of time before you drew attention to yourself yet again.
"A true Independent and believer in fair play"?
We believe in fair play, too - for those who elected you. And that is why, when you come up for re-election, they are going to know more about you than you have so far cared (or is it dared?)to tell them.
Ms Garfield! (Denise G. as you like to be) - Well! I just knew I'd find you here!! You seem to be the one behind all this "anti-fascist" stuff. Do you sleep? :-)
So, you want to tell the world about me? They need only visit my website. You don't seem to want a copy of the leaflet I gave out at this election by which people call me a "BNP supporter". I should tell you the leaflet says -
"... I have nothing to say on who you should vote for ....".
It also said all the candidates -
" ... have their skills and strengths. I would be happy to work with any one of them if elected."
A lot fairer, don't you think, than the so-called "anti-facist" leaflet they put out which was deliberately designed to spike the BNP local candidate with a pack of deceit and downright lies? Did you help deliver it? Or is that another question you won't answer?
Well - yes - I support the BNP's right to exist. And yes - I found out about some of them at least, to find they were in the main normal decent people - who want to stop immigration and get out of the EU. I'll go along with that. So! What's that again you are going to tell the world about me???
Dear, Dear! The threats you give. Very sad. And you call the BNP fascists. Seems I've "hung myself out to twist in the wind" as you so charmingly put it - all by myself - and saved you the bother.
You really should consider that anger management course I suggested for you.
Yours fairly and Independently.
Hi, Councillor Chris.
Are you, perchance, attempting to put me in court?
Because thats's no problem at all.
Do it. Now.
You have consistently given support and succour to the BNP, while pretending to be an "Independant" to those who were kept in the dark about your real loyalties (that is to say, your own constituents).
Your contempt for those who were suckered into voting for you is obvious. You clearly do not want them to know of your support for the BNP.
Support which I (and others) can prove over and again.
Your semantics and obsfucation may work elsewhere, but this being the LUAF blog, they don't work here and never will.
Now, I am more than happy (in fact I would be delighted) if you were to take me to court over this. My email address (which you already know) is:
denise.garside@btinternet.com.
You can also trace me via BTInternet, as they will be obliged to disclose my my details in the event of a legal action.
So do it.
Now.
Denise
Dear, oh dear! You are getting in a twist. I have no intention of taking you to court. Why should I? What would be the charge? "She threatened to hang me out to twist in the wind, M'Lud!". No - you are quite welcome to that view if you wish. And you are quite welcome to let the electors in my ward "know more about" me than I have "cared (or dared?) to tell them". I am absolutely agog to find out what you are on about.
I'm a very quiet person - and wish no harm on anybody. Look at ALL my web pages - you can see what I do (which clearly has nothing to do with the BNP). I'm there for ordinary people.
But you are so aggressive towards me. Why? If I defend the right of the BNP to exist and fight in elections - without grossly misleading and untruthful interference from people (well-meaning otherwise I'm sure) like yourself - so what?
Please - consider an anger management course. I mean that sincerely.
BTW - apologies for getting your name wrong last time - It was Garside not Garfield - but it was a long time since we last communicated.
Chris Cooke Said:
Yours - a true Independant and believer in fair play!
If that is the case Cllr Cooke why do you not help leaflet for any other party other than the BNP and also have a close friendship with the Coventry BNP organiser?
Hi Denise, you go for it girl, looks like Cllr Chris rather than twisting in 'the wind' has been 'hoisted on his own petard'.
Its not so much that he is obviously supporting the bnp cos we can and do deal with that, its that he sooo obviously lied and decieved his own electorate by stating that he was an Independant, when really he is a wolf in sheeps clothing.
Hi Denise
it would be an understatement to say you have slaughtered that hypocritical councillor with facts and reasonable arguments
And his retort?
"you need a course in anger management" ???
Clearly a beaten man and a useless councillor
well done
Cook isn't a useless councillor but his good work is outweighted by his support for the BNP.
He can't leaflet for the BNP in one area then stand for election in another saying he's an Independent. That's just deceiving his own voters.
If Cook had any honour he'd stand down before Glascote voters demand his resignation.
OK - Few more comments - then I really must get on with some more useful work.
1st Tamworth Tickle (where do you get these names from?). I do leaflet for other parties - only on an individual basis these days. I think the two main parties have enough help already (not least from yourselves) don't you?
Anonymous said I lied. Um...? If I have perhaps you would enlighten me??? Seems I've been very open and honest in writing my name on everything.
Another (?) anonymous said I was a beaten man and a useless councillor.
So it was nice of Tamworth Pig then to admit I was a good councillor.
Beaten? Sometimes. Not by you (well Denise anyway) of course - but by the system. And I can't help the people I would like to help who fall victim to the system. The system you seem to want to prolong with your support of the major political parties in this country.
And just so we are absolutely clear again. My political support these days is always for individual candidates - and my support for the BNP is within their right to exist and campaign on a level playing field. Without the moronic, vindictive and untruthful interference it has had to put up with - and whether you agree or not - financed by the establishment. Honestly - sometimes I just think you lot must just be the "useful idiots" Stalin talked about. (Not withstanding - you'll probably think the same of me??)
Keep well.
While we're on about councillors how come no election report on Heighington and Washingborough?
Sorry for the delay in replying.
Ketlan was busy with the Blackpool arrangements and I was ill, so it wasn't possible to give the matter any attention - though we'll probably review the result briefly next time.
Anonymous said...
"the above comment is rubbish, and sounds much more like a paranoid far-right conspiracy theorist than a sensible human being.
Just goes to show that the left has its lunatics as well!
11:48 AM, November 16, 2007"
Is that why whenever a prominent member of the oppo attends BNP meetings, Griffin, makes sure they are filmed or photographed shaking his hand so it can be used as leverage? Or, how about him calling the press to tell them his own father manned the BNP hotline for publicity? IDIOT.
4:10 PM, November 16, 2007
Now, after a lot of further information (which could have been found out quite easily, but then it would hardly have made such a 'scary' story), it seems that the facts are that the BNP is innocent, it was the Tories who made the fuss (and so, I suppose, the Tories are now 'known' for this sort of thing?), and so it can be safely said that the first poster was, most definately, in the category of 'paranoid looney'.
As to the response, copied above. Well, a response to that is hardly warranted as it makes it seem like the poster wrote an arguement rather than drivel, but it is wrong in both popints made.
The vast majority of anti-BNP people, prominent or not, are not photographed shaking NG's hand, most certainly wouldn't want to be. When invited to speak to the BBC or a police group or whatever he does, along with every other politician of whatever stripe, milk the publicity by having photos taken, but that is about it, and it is hardly done to upset anti-BNP groups, but to promote the BNP (or, possibly more accurately, the promote Griffin).
Secondly, more paranoid lunacy by saying he reported his own father for publicity. Any proof of this? The onlt y story I have ever read (the version supported by Griffin's father) was that in response to a question from a Tory group about whether he had any links with the BNP, other than being NG's father, he volunteered the information that he had, once or twice, answered the phone for them.
Sorry, anon, but you have been shown to be wrong, and paranoid, with everything that you have written so far. Perhaps a lie-down and some medication would be in order?
Cllr Chris states....he supports the right of the BNP to exist.....does that then translate that he would have supported the right of the Nazi party in germany to exist, would he have supported the right of the Jews to exist in Europe in the no too distant past, does he support the right to exist of peoples from other countries who seek asylum in this country fleeing war and torture their right to exist.
Or is he just justifying getting elected as an independant when really he is a bnp supporter and should have been truthful with his electorate.
Another (?) anonymous said I was a beaten man and a useless councillor."
That was me councillor " beaten man Chris"
Please allow me to introduce myself.I use the name irishtony because some of your new found BNP friends have put me on redwatch, have threatened me and threatened my children.
This is the fascist party you choose to support and assist, this is the racist party that you have neglected to tell the electorate that voted for you that you support the far right.
But trust me on this simple point I will ensure that the voting public will know about your affiliations and leanings by the next local election.
How dare you pretend to be an independent yet after election you show your support for the most odious, corrupt, fascist and disgusting political party in the UK. Your other far right mates lile the national front are quite irrelevant.
YOU ARE A HYPOCRITE
irishtony
Councillor Hypocrite Chris
its irishtony again
Now you have my blood boiling and i need some of your "anger management courses"
Please answer the following
Why is mark Collett still BNP chief publicist??
here are some of his comments
On Winston Churchill: "Churchill was a fucking cunt who led us into a pointless war with other whites [i.e. The Nazis] standing up for their race".
On the Royal Family: "The Royals have betrayed their people. When we're in power they'll be wiped out and we'll get some Germans to rule properly."
Is he one of your new mates??
Why wont the BNP kick him out?
maybe you would like a drink with Nick Griffin?
lets examine a quote or two of his
On Race: "Without the White race nothing matters [other right-wing parties] believe that the answer to the race question is integration and a futile attempt to create "Black Britons", while we affirm that non-Whites have no place here at all and will not rest until every last one has left our land."
is this the man you support??
maybe you liked his other comments
On the Holocaust:
“I am well aware that the orthodox opinion is that 6 million Jews were gassed and cremated or turned into lamp shades. Orthodox opinion also once held that the earth is flat … I have reached the conclusion that the ‘extermination’ tale is a mixture of Allied wartime propaganda, extremely profitable lie and latter witch-hysteria.”
"The "extermination" tale is a mixture of Allied wartime propaganda, extremely profitable lie and latter witch hysteria."
"It's well known that the chimneys from the gas chambers at Auschwitz are fake, built after the war ended."
Councillor Hypocrite Chris you make me sick
irishtony
There is so much anger here isn't there? You don't know me - you don't need to - only that I "support" the BNP - that's enough to have you howling. Never mind. Let's just try to stick to some of your saner points.
1. To Tamworth Tickle - God know's who the BNP Coventry Organiser is. I don't know - I may be aquainted but it's very unlikely I am his "friend". The BNP members I am aware of I have had very little contact with. In fact I have remarkably few people I call friends - nobody really in the BNP - Lynne Smith (our local BNP candidate) being the closest. Most notably I do have a friend who is a member of the Labour Party - who BTW also agrees with the leaflet I put out. Of course have met some members of the BNP now - had to do that didn't I - to really find out! I even met (and you'll love this one Denise!!) Nick Griffin - and guess what we talked about? Housing Stock Transfer - and how I'd managed to prevent it happening in Tamworth - and that is all!
2. Yes - to anonymous - I suppose I would in principle have to support the right of the Nazis to exist. But never the Nazis obliteration of the opposition as they did - something like you "anti-fascists" are trying to do to the BNP.
Also - as I am part Jew myself - I'm quite sure I would support the right of Jews to exist in Europe. So incidently would the BNP - who also have Jewish members. Your point being ...... ??
And, absolutely, I do believe we should be compassionate to all genuine assylum seekers fleeing wars and persecution. So I believe does the BNP. Does that surprise you?
Not that it matters - as I am really supporting the BNP's right to be unmolested by your crowd while fighting by-elections - not per se BNP policies. Tell you what - you UAF guys tell me you'll never put out another such leaflet against the BNP and I'll stop defending them against those leaflets. Deal?
3. IrishTony - Very sorry to know you are on Redwatch. I've seen the site (only today) - I agree it's intimidatory - it's also not the BNP website. Maybe you are right in thinking BNP people are behind it - I don't know - do I have to take your word for it? But I do know the BNP have a right to exist as a normal political party within the boundaries of their policies that are clear, legal and on their website.
Nice to know you'll be letting people in my ward know all about me for the next election - saves me a job. You will put your proper name and address details on any communications won't you? Like I always do!
BTW - Google me IrishT. You'll find lots - and you'll see that I put my name to everything (not anonymous nor a nickname) and have done so since well before my election. I hide nothing. ie - NOT a hypocrite. Sorry to disappoint.
4. IrishTony again. It may well be Collet has made those remarks - and Griffin. I don't know the when or circumstances - there is so much I have found out about your "anti-fascist" info that I know to be seriously misleading that I'm inclined to take it all with a pinch of salt. But supposing every word is true and unslanted - I of course am not answerable for either of them. Nevertheless the consequences of denying the BNP the right to exist are far greater than some members' verbal diarrhea.
I make you sick? Perhaps you are sick? Hatred is very debilitating. Try a sport - it used to work for me.
Really got to go now. Won't be back. If there is anything you really need to know - or want me to publicly admit to - just email me and I'll do it for you! :-)
Cooke,
You are a bare faced liar.
You know full well the Coventry BNP organiser is Chris Turner.
You and him are good friends
You also know full well that apart from helping the BNP in Tamworth,you also helped Chris Turner and Alwyn Deacon in Nuneaton recently.
you'll see that I put my name to everything
Except when you leafletted for the BNP in Bede and when you stood for election in May and didn't bother to tell the voters what you'd done.
Hypocrite.
Well councillor Hypocrite Chris
its irishtony again
Seemingly you like to set challeneges heh?
here is my challenge. if i can prove catagorically that the quotations I provided you with are both ture and accurate.
Will you agree to condemm the BNP?
Will you agree to apologise to the people who voted for you for supporting a nazi party?
And one other thing please dont try and trivialise the BNP links to
1 nazis
2 redwatch
3 Mark Collett and nick Griffins remarks
maybe it is a good thing you dont come back on this site This site does,nt need a useless hypocritical councillor posting on here.
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