Councillors in Gorseinon have reacted with dismay following news the British National Party have leafleted homes in the area. According to the party's website, two leafleting teams delivered leaflets to "almost every house in Gorseinon" in preparation for the Assembly elections, which take place in March.
Town councillor Jim Dunkley said he could not believe the party had tried to drum up support in the area, and he said they would not be welcome.
Mr Dunkley said: "I just cannot believe it. I am one of 16 town councillors who all live in the community and we deal with the day-to-day problems of the area, and an organisation like the British National Party is here just to stir up problems. What solutions do they have to deal with the problems of Gorseinon? I do not see any place for a party like the BNP in this community. Their party is based on scaremongering and paranoia. This place is a better place without the BNP. We are a tolerant community here and there will be no place for them."
Mr Dunkley also said the best way of dealing with a party like the BNP was to question their views.
"The only way to expose them is to challenge their beliefs," he added. "If they are confident they could have any support base in Gorseinon, I would welcome a public debate with them. I am confident if I sat down with them I would win the argument hands down.
Mr Dunkley's views were shared by fellow town councillor Janet Curtice. Her home was leafleted by the party.
"My house was leafleted and my husband ripped it up. It is a concern as apparently a group has been set up in the area, too," she said. "These people are paranoid. We are all concerned about a large number of issues but we can all work together."
A spokesman for the British National Party said: "This is part and parcel of living in a democracy. We are working towards the National Assembly elections where we feel we can do well in both North and South Wales. There will definitely be a candidate in the Swansea area."
This is South Wales
Showing posts with label community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label community. Show all posts
February 10, 2011
March 24, 2007
CRE calls on local groups for 'zero tolerance' in election campaigns
Political parties will be challenged by local groups who use race as a campaign tactic to ignite community tensions and conflicts warned the Commission for Racial Equality today.
The CRE is urging local groups to take a 'zero tolerance' stance against racist activity that seeks to divide local communities in the run up to the election period.
Local partners can play an important part in monitoring organised racist activity, identifying trends, coordinating a local response to increases in racist behaviour, and making sure that victims get the support they need.
Racial hatred is not confined to any single community and where this arises it must be challenged head on. MPs, MSPs, AMs and political leaders will be reminded by the CRE that their campaigns should not use negative stereotyping or misinformation about race to boost votes.
CRE Chair, Kay Hampton said:
The CRE may be the regulators of the Race Relations Act, but our role is not just to wave a big stick. We also expect local authorities to confront the myths, or misinformation others may use and we look to local groups and organisations to act as the 'eyes and ears' within communities.
Together, we must remind political parties of their responsibility to ensure that loose words in the heat of the campaign do not ignite conflicts. We need to nurture an environment in which everyone feels they have a stake in society and we must fight to guarantee that everyone's issues and concerns can be aired in the political arena fairly and accurately.
Promoting good race relations requires leadership and real interaction between and within our communities. It is essential that people are encouraged to support inclusion and reject separatist ideas. This is about changing everyone's attitudes no matter their cultural background or nationality.
Cllr Richard Kemp, vice chair of the Local Government Association, said:
As the only body directly elected by local people to represent them, councils have a duty to ensure that everyone in their locality feels respected and lives with a sense of responsibility and belonging. Local authorities must take the lead in creating safe and cohesive communities where people can thrive, regardless of race, colour or creed.
Councils accept that, particularly at election times, things can be said which people later regret. More worryingly, things can be said which people do not regret and which can undermine community relations and inflame local tensions. At this time councils must be especially vigilant in tackling myths, lies and misdirection wherever they appear.
The CRE has also organised a series of seminars on myth-busting and the law for local authorities and lawyers to help challenge the inaccuracies, racism and misrepresentation that seek to decide to divide our communities.
CRE
The CRE is urging local groups to take a 'zero tolerance' stance against racist activity that seeks to divide local communities in the run up to the election period.
Local partners can play an important part in monitoring organised racist activity, identifying trends, coordinating a local response to increases in racist behaviour, and making sure that victims get the support they need.
Racial hatred is not confined to any single community and where this arises it must be challenged head on. MPs, MSPs, AMs and political leaders will be reminded by the CRE that their campaigns should not use negative stereotyping or misinformation about race to boost votes.
CRE Chair, Kay Hampton said:
The CRE may be the regulators of the Race Relations Act, but our role is not just to wave a big stick. We also expect local authorities to confront the myths, or misinformation others may use and we look to local groups and organisations to act as the 'eyes and ears' within communities.
Together, we must remind political parties of their responsibility to ensure that loose words in the heat of the campaign do not ignite conflicts. We need to nurture an environment in which everyone feels they have a stake in society and we must fight to guarantee that everyone's issues and concerns can be aired in the political arena fairly and accurately.
Promoting good race relations requires leadership and real interaction between and within our communities. It is essential that people are encouraged to support inclusion and reject separatist ideas. This is about changing everyone's attitudes no matter their cultural background or nationality.
Cllr Richard Kemp, vice chair of the Local Government Association, said:
As the only body directly elected by local people to represent them, councils have a duty to ensure that everyone in their locality feels respected and lives with a sense of responsibility and belonging. Local authorities must take the lead in creating safe and cohesive communities where people can thrive, regardless of race, colour or creed.
Councils accept that, particularly at election times, things can be said which people later regret. More worryingly, things can be said which people do not regret and which can undermine community relations and inflame local tensions. At this time councils must be especially vigilant in tackling myths, lies and misdirection wherever they appear.
The CRE has also organised a series of seminars on myth-busting and the law for local authorities and lawyers to help challenge the inaccuracies, racism and misrepresentation that seek to decide to divide our communities.
CRE
Labels:
community,
CRE.racial equality,
inclusion,
zero tolerance
March 12, 2007
Lincolnshire County Council Declaration
[Wouldn't you love to see a statement like this adopted by every local authority]
We, in Lincolnshire, are proud of our diverse and multi-racial heritage, which we regard as a source of cultural, social and economic strength. We will work vigorously to combat all forms of racism to rid Lincolnshire of racial discrimination and to enshrine the principle that individuality and universality are the foundations of justice and peace.
We declare that:
• We value the contribution that all communities make to the quality of life in Lincolnshire and recognise ethnic and cultural diversity as a source of cultural, social and economic enrichment.
• We endorse the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and are opposed to racism in all its forms.
• We will encourage a changing culture within the public services and the wider community that recognises the unacceptability of all forms of racism and takes action to combat it.
• We acknowledge that progress towards a more just society may not always be smooth, but as partners we are committed to maintaining dialogue and resolving our differences.
• We accept that without transparency and openness in the public services, progress towards a successful multi-cultural community will be hampered.
• We believe that the composition of the public services workforce should reflect that of the wider community, and will work to break down perceptions and barriers that prevent equal access to employment.
• We believe that all citizens should have the right to expect equal protection and equal treatment from all public services.
• We believe that children from all backgrounds are entitled to an education free from discrimination and harassment.
• We understand the essential role of the education system in Lincolnshire in developing the future of our multi-cultural community and commit ourselves to supporting and enhancing this work.
• We believe that our success will properly be measured not by our policies but by our actions in promoting equality for all the people of Lincolnshire.
• We call upon the residents of Lincolnshire to support us in this by respecting the dignity of all people and by constant vigilance for any expression of racism or racial discrimination.
Signed
Cllr Martin Hill
Cllr Robert Parker
Cllr Marianne Overton
Cllr John Marriott
[We couldn't find the source for this statement so until we do, the link goes to its default source]
Stop the BNP
We, in Lincolnshire, are proud of our diverse and multi-racial heritage, which we regard as a source of cultural, social and economic strength. We will work vigorously to combat all forms of racism to rid Lincolnshire of racial discrimination and to enshrine the principle that individuality and universality are the foundations of justice and peace.
We declare that:
• We value the contribution that all communities make to the quality of life in Lincolnshire and recognise ethnic and cultural diversity as a source of cultural, social and economic enrichment.
• We endorse the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and are opposed to racism in all its forms.
• We will encourage a changing culture within the public services and the wider community that recognises the unacceptability of all forms of racism and takes action to combat it.
• We acknowledge that progress towards a more just society may not always be smooth, but as partners we are committed to maintaining dialogue and resolving our differences.
• We accept that without transparency and openness in the public services, progress towards a successful multi-cultural community will be hampered.
• We believe that the composition of the public services workforce should reflect that of the wider community, and will work to break down perceptions and barriers that prevent equal access to employment.
• We believe that all citizens should have the right to expect equal protection and equal treatment from all public services.
• We believe that children from all backgrounds are entitled to an education free from discrimination and harassment.
• We understand the essential role of the education system in Lincolnshire in developing the future of our multi-cultural community and commit ourselves to supporting and enhancing this work.
• We believe that our success will properly be measured not by our policies but by our actions in promoting equality for all the people of Lincolnshire.
• We call upon the residents of Lincolnshire to support us in this by respecting the dignity of all people and by constant vigilance for any expression of racism or racial discrimination.
Signed
Cllr Martin Hill
Cllr Robert Parker
Cllr Marianne Overton
Cllr John Marriott
[We couldn't find the source for this statement so until we do, the link goes to its default source]
Stop the BNP
Labels:
community,
cultural,
diversity,
enrichment,
ethnic,
Lincolnshire,
multi-racial,
racism
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