Election news

London leaders focus on anti-BNP campaigning

Leading London mayoral candidates are temporarily postponing their attacks on each other to target the British National party (BNP).

Its candidate, Richard Barnbrook, has pledged to "remove the rot" Ken Livingstone has "put this capital city in" with policies which will "benefit all true Londoners" but comes under attack from the incumbent mayor today.

Mr Livingstone, Conservative candidate Boris Johnson and Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick are attending an event organised by political participation group Operation Black Vote featuring an unveiling of an anti-BNP poster.

Initial reports suggest the poster has been vandalised and the politicians at the event are expected to express their frustration with groups undermining community cohesion as a result.

Earlier today Mr Livingstone warned the far-right party only needs five per cent of the vote to win a seat on the London Assembly. He said they would use this seat to "spread their message of hate and to damage London's ability to attract investment and jobs".

"We cannot afford for London to go into reverse gear on community relations – we should stay on the course that has seen racist attacks cut, which means we need to stop the fascist BNP in its tracks," he said.

Community relations in London have improved in recent years, with racist attacks falling by 14 per cent in 2007 compared to a 12 per cent rise in the rest of the UK.

But Mr Livingstone says defending good relations requires action from the ballot box, with every non-BNP vote making the party's five per cent hurdle "harder to reach".

The mayor campaigned in Holloway last week on the issue and is set to focus on south London for the rest of today. Mr Johnson will deliver a speech on diversity and defending the cosmopolitan lifestyle at Middlesex University this afternoon.

Politics.co.uk


Activists determined to stop BNP

A group of activists is planning a demonstration after hearing the British National Party has put forward four candidates for the forthcoming council elections.
After reading in the Observer that the BNP would contest seats in Hollington, Central St Leonards, Tressell and Castle Ward, a number of concerned residents decided to act.

Now, having met for the first time on Monday night, they have started a publicity campaign which they hope will send the BNP a clear message: "You are not wanted in Hastings."

Posters, stickers and flyers will be distributed across Hastings and St Leonards urging people not to support the BNP and to make sure their vote counts on May 1. The climax of the campaign will be a demonstration, likely to be held on the Saturday before the borough council elections (Saturday April 26).

The organisers however, were remaining tight-lipped as to the time and venue but have said they will make an announcement shortly. They would confirm it would be a peaceful, child friendly occasion and hoped it would include guest speakers.

A spokesman for the group said: "It is important the people of Hastings send a message out to the BNP that they are not welcome here."

The group is due to hold another meeting on Monday (April 14) at 7pm.

To find out the venue for this meeting email hastingsagainstfascism@hotmail.co.uk

Mid-Sussex Times


Campaign to stop votes for far-right party

Sports stars have joined politicians speaking out as part of a campaign launched in Sheffield against the British National Party before the local elections.
Boxing trainer Brendan Ingle, current and retired world champion boxers Junior Witter and Johnny Nelson, plus representatives from mainstream political parties voiced their opposition to the far-right organisation's "divisive and racist messages".

Brendan said: "Sport is one of the best ways I know to bring people together and reject racism. I urge everyone to use their vote to stop the British National Party."

Johnny added: "The BNP is bad news for Sheffield. It is a racist party which will only bring violence to our city by turning neighbours and communities against each other." The event, organised by Sheffield Unite Against Fascism, took place at Brendan Ingle's Wincobank gym, which is in Shiregreen and Brightside ward, where the BNP candidate came second in last year's poll.

Sheffield Telegraph