Luton United Against Fascism, an organisation supported by both the town's MPs as well as faith and community groups, trades unions and local residents, is appalled by the prospect of a meeting in the town to be addressed by BNP youth leader Mark Collett. Some of Collett's more choice comments reveal all we need to know about him.
On Winston Churchill: "Churchill was a f*****g c**t who led us into a pointless war with other whites [i.e.The Nazis] standing up for their race".
On the Prince of Wales: "He's a f*****g traitor."
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."
On whether British-born blacks are British: "Just because a dog is brought up in a stable doesn't make him a horse."
On Aids: "A friendly disease because blacks, drug users and gays have it."
On Jews: "There's not a European country the Jews haven't been thrown out of. When it happens that many times, it's not just persecution. There's no smoke without fire."
On Adolf Hitler: "Hitler will live forever; and maybe I will."
Anyone expressing such appalling views has no place in the political process of this country.
It appears that a secret meeting is planned for later this week in a Luton pub, with the BNP having used an invented name to ensure that the booking has been taken.
The presence of someone of Collett's background is an insult to the people of Luton. He can only be coming here to whip up racial tension and to peddle lies and racist propaganda to whoever is sad and sorry enough to think about going to hear him. In a town with a proud history of integration it is outrageous that any such meeting could take place.
The BNP is led and supported by individuals with a record of convictions for violence against black people, Muslims and Jews, homosexuals – in fact anyone who does not fit their outdated idea of what constitutes the 'indigenous people' of this country. On those occasions when they have gained seats as councillors in other parts of the country, their attendance record has been abysmal and their contribution to debate and discussion non-existent.
If they should decide to stand for office here – and it is difficult to think that anyone living in Luton would wish to do so – then it is up to the voters of the town to show that they support the true representatives of their community who are saying 'no' to the BNP
The Luton Unite Statement is produced below.
Luton Unite: Public Statement March 2007
We call, as a matter of the greatest urgency, for the broadest unity against the alarming rise in racism and fascism in Britain today.
We note with concern that in the past 6 months the National Front (NF) have tried, and failed, to march through Bury Park thanks to the strength and unity of local opinion.
The British National Party (BNP) has also attempted to hold secret meetings – only to be exposed in the press through the vigilance and dedication of local activists.
Both the BNP and NF are now trying to present themselves as 'respectable' organisations. In fact they are extremist parties seeking to attract votes on the basis of racism, prejudice and the vilification of refugees and asylum seekers.
These groups also stand for the expulsion of Black and Asian people from this country and the elimination of basic democratic rights. This makes it all the more disturbing to find them on the brink of standing candidates in the May council elections.
We value our rich and diverse local community, which draws strength from traditional Luton values of mutual understanding and respect. These values are undermined by the activities of racist groups and we, the undersigned pledge to combine all our forces and unite in a broad and common front against this threat that they pose.
Margaret Moran, Luton South MP
Kelvin Hopkins, Luton North MP
Cllr Hazel Simmons, Leader of Labour LBC Group
Cllr Joan Bailey, Lewsey Ward
Cllr Robin Harris, Limbury Ward
Cllr Lynda Ireland, South Ward
Cllr Sheila Roden, Leagrave Ward
Paul Moffatt, Eastern Region Secretary Communication Workers Union
Christina Beddows, Branch Secretary LBC Unison
Jon Berry, UCU Campaigns Officer Hertfordshire University
Lord Bill McKenzie
Buton Fazal, Kick Racism Out of Football
Klazina Coleman, Labour candidate Limbury ward
Gillie Sharp, Chair: Luton Action Against Poverty
Reita Clarke MBE, Board of Trustees Luton Law Centre
Mobeen Queshi, Kludmat
Shaid Koyes, Bangladeshi Youth League
Nick Bell, Transforming Luton
Kelly Paul, NUS President, University of Bedfordshire
Srah Allen, Chair, Luton LGBT Steering Group
Mark Collett is a loser misfit, who is known for being a loner and Hitler worshipper. His father, a former National Front organiser, introduced him to the wonderful world of scaprgoating and race hate!
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