May 11, 2009

Main parties unite to tackle BNP threat in European elections

The three main political parties will meet tomorrow tomorrow at Westminster to try to agree common ground rules on how to fight the British National party in the European election on 4 June.

The meeting will look at a loose code of conduct, including an early warning system if any party finds a rival candidate is resorting to semi-racist remarks or literature. The idea of imposing a blanket policy of refusing to share a platform with the BNP, something the Tories oppose, will also be discussed.

The meeting will be held between the Tory chairman, Eric Pickles, the Labour deputy leader, Harriet Harman, and Lady Scott, the Liberal Democrat president.

The BNP launched its European election manifesto today, hoping that it will be able to exploit public anger over MPs' expenses. Its leader, Nick Griffin, said the party would threaten "tired, corrupt old politicians".

Behind the scenes, the Tories are angry that it has taken so long to set up the meeting and claim it has been cancelled twice at short notice by Harman's office. One source claimed it even looked as if Harman would not mind if the BNP did well because it would provide Labour with an alibi if it came third in the elections.

Privately, MPs from all sides recognise that they are likely to be victims of an anti-politics vote in the European and county council elections. They can only hope other minor parties such as the Green party, Ukip or Libertas benefit, rather than the BNP. A YouGov poll for the Sunday Times at the weekend, put Ukip on 7% and the BNP on 4%.

Guardian

7 comments:

Arfur Daley said...

"A YouGov poll for the Sunday Times at the weekend, put Ukip on 7% and the BNP on 4%."

I'd be willing to bet that'll go up in UKIPs favour as the election gets closer.

Anonymous said...

4%??? Griffin will be shuddering at that, seeing his trough moving out of reach.

PADDY IN THURROCK said...

What's the F*cks going on Unity I was in Grays Town Centre here in Thurrock and The F*CKing nazis fascists were all over the place, all suited and booted trying to look respectable the skinheaded f*cks. I've visited their pratriots bog site and turns out to be their European launce and their is loads and loads of filthy pictures of the pigs ( see for yourself http://thurrockpatriots.blogspot.com/ ), so Why was I the only protester?? no one but me giving it to them, why was it not advertised on any of the anti-fascist blogs, Why was I the only protester till the cops moved me on.

It was a very bad show lads and I was ashamed how we going to stop them if we don't turn up.

Anonymous said...

paddy you need to learn to spell mate lol

Anonymous said...

have you seen norman tebbit in the daily maill telling people to boycott the european elections to punish the 3 main parties for having their snouts in the trough

Anonymous said...

BNP vote going down once again

Activists battered in Carlisle

tiem to give it up, nazi scum

Anonymous said...

Come off it, Paddy. We in Lancaster didn't know about that and we can't be everywhere.