Wavertree Unites Against Fascism

Pictured are some of the protestors outside the BNP's national conference

Local residents, anti-fascists, trades unionists and councillors join protests against BNP National Conference in Wavertree.

Local residents, anti-fascists, trades unionists, local councillors, football fans and others joined protests this weekend against the BNP's National Conference, which was held at The Cricketers in Wavertree on Saturday and Sunday. The protest was called on Saturday by Unite Against Fascism who are opposing the BNP's use of the public venue - the BNP are believed to have held meetings in the same location previously.

Liverpool Council leader Joe Anderson joined protesters, to support the demonstration - during the weekend there were also representatives from local trade unions such as UNISON and the RMT in attendance at the pickets of the BNP conference. Unite Against Fascism [UAF] members reported strong support for their protests from local residents, who have voiced opposition to the BNP conference being held at the Wavertree venue.

The protests took place as North West UAF are launching their regional campaign - called "Griffin Must Go!" - to remove BNP leader Nick Griffin from his seat as Member of the European Parliament for the North West Region - which includes the Merseyside area. The UAF "Griffin Must Go!" campaign is supported by a number of North West MEP's, MP's and trades unionists, including: Alison McGovern MP for Wirral South, St Helens North MP David Watts, Billy Hayes of the Communication Workers Union, North West MEP Brian Simpson, Kate Green MP, Lisa Nandy MP, Julie Hilling MP, Jonathan Reynolds MP and former cabinet minister Peter Hain MP.

A "Kick Racism Out Of Football" banner was held aloft at the demonstration. UAF say this is significant because it is currently the national fortnight of action co-ordinated by Kick It Out - an organisation which works to get rid of racism in football. UAF supporters also reported a healthy reaction from local footballers, who voiced concern about the BNP Conference taking place in a venue which adjoined a sporting facility used by local sports players and members of the public. UAF leaflets were also distributed exposing the BNP.

Around 30 people attended the demonstration on Saturday, and approximately 40 on Sunday. On Saturday UAF protestors demonstrated for five and a half hours, and picketed Nick Griffin as he was driven out in a car at the end of the conference.

Darren Ireland, Branch Secretary of the Liverpool 5 branch of the railway workers union the RMT said:

"The fascist and racist BNP, with their discredited leader Griffin and local BNP leader Mike Whitby turned up for their small national conference at The Cricketers, Wavertree, Liverpool. The BNP seek to divide the working class, they seek to attack ethnic minorities with their vile discrimination. When you read about the battle of Cable Street some 75 years ago, the working class united to defeat the fascists. These battles are still being fought in Wavertree today. We must continue to unite as a class and fight to defeat these BNP thugs once and for all. Together we will defeat them, with the local community who were also against their presence."

Paul Jenkins, North West Regional Organiser for Unite Against Fascism said:

"The Unite Against Fascism protestors received an excellent response from local residents, as well as local football players using the adjoining venue. Both the residents and general public are outraged that a public and family venue has been hired out for use to the racist thugs of the fascist BNP. The UAF protest, and the support for it from local residents, shows once again that anti-racists are the majority and that the fascist BNP do not represent the people of Wavertree or anywhere else.

At the weekend we saw Nazi Nick Griffin off - now we want to see the BNP fuhrer off once and for all - North West Unite Against Fascism are launching our "Griffin Must Go!" campaign to remove the BNP Leader from his Seat as Member of the European Parliament for the North West Region, which includes Merseyside. UAF encourages people to attend the regional launch of this campaign next month in Manchester, and to get involved in the UAF campaign on Merseyside to show Griffin and the BNP that they are not welcome in Wavertree or anywhere else. Details about the campaign can be found at www.uaf.org.uk"

Conference Report: Chairman Vows To Make Party “Even Nastier”

Opening the Annual Conference in Leicester yesterday, the Party Chairman promised that they would strive, in the following year, to become “even more unpleasant”.

Speaking to a capacity audience of more than two dozen confused and misguidedly angry bigots, he addressed the issue of protests at military homecoming parades.

“We can no longer stand by and allow the likes of Anjem Choudary to hold the monopoly on offensive behaviour at these events: We will also begin making an appearance at homecoming parades to show the Nation that we, too, can be utterly arrogant tosspots who would happily exploit the sacrifice of these young men and women for our own shabby, political ends.”

He went on; “Is it fair that we in the Far Right, who have for so long been regarded as the very acme of small-minded petty bias and provincialism, should find ourselves crowded off the front pages by a bunch of wannabes? And non-white wannabes at that?”

To a tumultuous ripple of applause, the Chairman continued to outline his plans for the future direction of the Party.

“With stern determination, a doughty disregard for my own safety and with the aid of your generous donations, I shall personally lead, from my office in Brussels, a series of heroic confrontations against these people who think they can come over here and be every bit as appalling as us. With your support, your determination, your account numbers and your sort codes, I will ensure that we regain our rightful place as the very pinnacle of the nation's misguided dimwits.”

Going on, the Chairman blamed the Party's current misfortunes on complacency. “We – I - have become complacent. For too long, we in the Party have been regarded as the last word in nastiness and barely-sentient arseholery, and we have allowed ourselves to take our eyes – or eye – off the game. And now we find our previously unassailable position under threat from all directions. The English Defence League, for example, have even invited a controversial, truly vile American preacher – of a kind who makes our own Reverend West look merely like a fantasising charlatan with untraceable pseudo qualifications and a grasp of theology somewhere between Atilla the Hun and Father Dougal McGuire – to address one of their meetings, and have captured several front pages (and, no doubt, donations) that should be ours even though he will obviously be barred from entering the country! We may be useless, racist gobshites, but, by God, we're British useless, racist gobshites, dammit!”

“Where before I was merely creepy”, he concluded, “I shall strive to become utterly ghastly. Whereas before I was someone you wouldn't leave alone with a child, I pledge that – come next year – you wouldn't leave a diseased, erotomaniacal alligator in the same room with me. Whereas before I was merely a cheap crook, I solemnly vow that, over the next few months, I shall undergo a transformation into a conniving fraudster and plotter of such viciously low morals that I might even grow a pencil moustache, get gap teeth and start talking like Terry-Thomas!”

Following a collection, and a second collection, and a final collection “to enable us to find your car keys and return them to you...”, the meeting wound up with the Delegates joining the Committee in an impassioned rendition of the new Party Anthem, “You've Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two”.

Leicester UAF stages flash protest at Nazi BNP conference

Leicester UAF gave members of the Nazi British National Party a surprise at the fascists’ annual conference today.

BNP leader Nick Griffin and his cohorts had kept the party’s conference venue secret, but antifascists discovered at 4pm on Friday afternoon that the Nazis were booked into the Best Western Leicester Stage Hotel at Wigston Fields, Leicester.

A speedy mobilisation by Leicester UAF saw around 60 people turn out at 2pm on Saturday, with placards and banners outside the hotel on the main road into Leicester.

Leicester UAF says:

'It was really good. We called it yesterday at about 4pm, and there were 60 people. It was very lively, cars driving past on both sides of the dual carriageway beeped their horns in support. One carload of young lads pulled up and they got out and joined us. We had lots of local support.'

The demonstrators’ chants included “Best Western? Best not!” and antifascists have also sent complaints to the hotel chain’s customer services department asking why they are hosting a fascist organisation.

Unite Against Fascism

Griffin promises 'increased militancy' from British National Party

Nick Griffin has kicked this years BNP conference off with the promise of forthcoming “militancy” from his Party, in the face of protests from groups such as “Muslims Against Crusades”, during parades of returning British troops.

In his speech to a dinner at the Party Conference, Griffin said;

'We are going to start attending homecoming parades of British troops, and when the Islamic militants abuse our troops and threaten them, we are going to physically stand in their way',

But more worrying I think, is the indication that such “protests” will also take place where there [are] efforts to construct Mosques.

The concerns are obvious. Violence between members of the Muslim community, and BNP members trying to ferment racially motivated violence for political advancement, will pose a major threat to social cohesion wherever it happens.

Bizarrely, Griffin also says;

'The British people have already shown that they are willing to start supporting the British National Party in increasing numbers'

Perhaps he’s forgotten about the battering they took in May.

This could be one of two things. It’s entirely possible that this was simply intended as a crowd pleasing rant for members of an increasingly demoralised and fractured Party. A futile attempt at lifting the spirits of a group of people doomed to fail in the near future.

But it could also be an acknowledgment that the BNP’s efforts to legitimise itself, and add a little professionalism to its electoral efforts have failed. In which case this could be the first signs of a change in strategy to something reminiscent of the “National Front's” heyday. Perhaps it is an attempt to tap into what they perceive as an appetite for a more confrontational approach, such as that which has defined the EDL.

They’re changing the logo too. Maybe there’s a full re-branding taking place?

Though Cowards Flinch

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up

Nick Griffin stages what may be his ‘last hurrah’ in Leicester

Leicester anti-fascists are calling for support for a protest at the Best Western Leicester Stage Hotel in Wigston, on the southern edge of Leicester, where the British National Party is holding its annual conference.

Over the past two days Leicester Police have been alerting leaders of the city’s communities that the racists were coming to town. Despite the BNP’s attempts to head off protests by posting on the party website that the three-day event was in South Derbyshire, all enquiries led to Leicester.

Tonight party members are sitting down to a “black tie dinner”, followed by a speech by Nick Griffin, the party leader, that will probably leave them with a bout of indigestion. Tomorrow will start with a financial report and “questions to panel”. It is unclear whether delegates will learn more about the party’s dodgy finances than the Electoral Commission, which is still waiting for its 2009 accounts and investigating the 2008 accounts that were submitted late.

The session will be followed by debates on “policy motions” submitted by each region and a “constitutional debate”. Andrew Brons, the party’s Yorkshire MEP, has undertaken a “consultation” on proposed changes to the BNP’s mammoth constitution, adopted only at the beginning of this year, which gives dictatorial power to the leader and makes it almost impossible to overthrow him.

Brons announced several weeks ago that the party’s elite “voting members” would get a chance to vote on constitutional changes at this weekend’s conference, but Eddy Butler, who unsuccessfully tried to call a leadership election in summer, has pointed out that no constitutionally binding vote can be taken at the conference because members have not been given the required 14 days’ notice of the proposals.

There will also be training workshops running alongside the conference “in a small room”. Presumably the party does not expect delegates to show much interest in sessions on “make your petition stall work for you” and the party’s fake Solidarity trade union.

The highlight of the event was supposed to be a “Christmas Grand Ball” on Saturday evening “complete with three-course meal, entertainment, music and refreshments”. This has now been demoted to a “Christmas party and late evening sing-along” according to the BNP website this afternoon.

On Sunday the party will yet again wheel out its fake vicar “Reverend” Robert West to hold a half-hour “Sunday Service”.

The day was supposed to continue with a two-course lunch followed by “a BNP Veterans Parade, a leadership Question Time, an audio-visual British history presentation and finally the keynote address from BNP leader Nick Griffin MEP”. Instead the BNP veterans have been relegated to a workshop in the “small room” and the BNP leader has ducked out of facing awkward questions from the members.

The BNP claimed a few days ago that the conference hotel was “fully booked”, despite the whopping £299 cost for a couple, or £189 single, to stay both nights in one of the hotels 79 rooms and attend all events.

The conference was open to all party members except, that is, the “many voting members” who according to Butler have been “suspended without charge” or were expelled several months ago and are still awaiting for their appeals to be heard. The police thought there would be no more than 100 people attending, which would be down on previous years.

Hope not hate

BNP Conference - The Secret's Out...

According to Hope Not Hate, a few minutes ago, The BNP's Conference is taking place at the Best Western Leicester Stage Hotel. The Address is 299 Leicester Road, Leicester LE18 1JW.

In keeping with the tradition that the only time Griffin doesn't lie is when he's asleep, the “Four Star”, “South Derbyshire” venue is actually a Three Star, Leicestershire hotel.

Who may just lose a bit of trade now that they've thrown their hat in with the BNP.

Best Western can be contacted, to leave your (polite) feedback at admin@bestwestern.co.uk

The Leicester Stage Hotel can be (politely) phoned on 0116 288 6161

Churchmen unite to blast the BNP

Church leaders in South Derbyshire have joined forces to condemn the British National Party (BNP) ahead of its annual conference being held at a secret location in the district at the weekend.

The political party is staging the event from December 10 to 12 at an as yet undisclosed, ‘firstclass venue’ in the area. Despite widespread speculation circulating in the area, details about the exact location remain unconfirmed, with the BNP refusing to disclose its choice of venue for ‘security reasons’.

In a letter sent to the Mail leaders of eight churches in the area have signed a joint declaration to make it clear they are having nothing to do with the conference and do not support the party’s actions in any way.

The letter states: “We reject their claim to speak for Christians, as an affront to our beliefs and a danger to the unity of our whole community. We wish to affirm our belief that all human beings are created equal and to encourage everyone to join with us in working to build a society where that is fundamental.”

The letter was signed by Rev Jane Webb, chairman of Churches Together in Gresley, Swadlincote and

District, Major Anthony Clifton from the Salvation Army, Rev David Horsfall for Swadlincote parish, Rev Ian Hunter, Rector for Hartshorne and Bretby parishes, Rev David Perrett, vicar of Church Gresley parish, Rev Lesley de Pomerai, vicar for Walton on Trent, Linton and Castle Gresley, Croxhall and Rosliston parishes, along with Rev Sue Rolls, Superintendent Minister for Methodist Circuit, and Teresa Tilley, the leader of Gresley Mission Room.

John Ryde, a spokesman for the British National Party East Midlands region, who refused to reveal the exact location — but confirmed it will be held in the area, said: “We respect the views of these church leaders, but then again, I want to ask them to respect our views and opinions which is what Christians are supposed to do any way.”

The event was described in a letter, posted on the BNP website to ‘fellow patriots’ by leader Nick Griffin, as ‘a spectacular combination of political speeches, audio-visual displays, training, policy debates, stalls and entertainment, all within a four-star venue complete with restaurant, bar and a whole range of suitable accommodation to fit your needs’.

A spokesman for Derbyshire Police said: “We are not aware of the conference venue at this time and we are still trying to engage with the BNP to find out if it will be taking place in South Derbyshire.”

Burton Mail

Departures leave BNP future in doubt

The British National Party’s communications officer has left the party, following the abrupt departure of its fundraising and management guru Jim Dowson.

Paul Golding was the BNP’s sole district councillor in southeast England. His exit leaves the racist party with only 23 councillors compared with the 28 it had after the May elections.

The two walked out following a major fallout between them and senior party staff, in particular its moronic national organiser Clive Jefferson and Patrick Harrington, leader of the rival Third Way party, who has wormed himself into a position of growing influence in the party, upsetting several employees and members in the process.

Golding’s BNP membership had briefly been suspended in summer for writing a nasty blog attacking Eddy Butler, who unsuccessfully challenged Nick Griffin for the party leadership. The move was widely seen as an attempt by Griffin to appear “fair” between his own supporters and those of Butler. But later, when many of Butler’s suspended supporters were expelled, Golding was reinstated.

The departure of Dowson and Golding leaves the BNP with no one capable of writing the begging letters that have brought in large sums in donations during Dowson’s three years at Griffin’s side. The party will also be unable to exploit its “Bring Our Boys Home” recruitment campaign by turning the 25,000 names on petition forms into voters and members. People signed anti-war petitions at the BNP’s stalls in shopping centres around the country, not realising that they were sponsored by the BNP, but despite the party’s claims to use cutting-edge technology, Jefferson is incapable of transferring the information into a usable electronic format.

Butler reports that Dowson rang to tell him that his departure was complete and immediate. Dowson is known to have texted and phoned numerous other people.

Quite where this leaves the BNP’s Belfast call centre and administration centre is unclear. The office is run by Dowson and Griffin’s daughter Jennifer Matthys, who is also a director of Dowson’s main front company, Adlorries.com. Dowson is believed to have alternative Belfast premises for any new venture he undertakes.

Dowson was in charge of obtaining the secret four-star venue for the party’s annual conference to be held somewhere in Derbyshire over the weekend of 10-12 December. Stories are circulating that as he was about to dump the party Griffin offered him £10,000 to complete the arrangements, which he rejected. There must now be doubt over whether it will go ahead. If it is cancelled, members who have already paid the up to £299 cost of attending are likely to lose their money.

Dowson believes the party will not last beyond the end of the year, leaving those who have forked out £395 for life membership in its current special offer receiving very poor value for their money.

Searchlight / HOPE not Hate by Sonia Gable

Demonstrate against the fascist BNP's 'conference' in Wigan

Demonstrate against the fascist BNP's 'conference' in Wigan

Saturday 14th November, 12noon
Meet outside the Swan Hotel 737 Atherton Road, Hindley Green, Wigan, WN2 4SB

Click on image to see it full-size

We have been informed that the BNP's conference will take place this year in Hindley Green, near Wigan at the Body Image Fitness Centre on Swan Lane. This confirms other reports we have had.

North West UAF is calling a demonstration tomorrow - Saturday 14th November at Hindley Green. Please meet 12.00 noon, Saturday 14th November outside the Swan Hotel, Atherton Road, Hindley Green.

It is very important that the fascist BNP do not get away with holding this conference with no protest outside. Please do your very best to attend, and bring members of your local anti-fascist group/trade union/faith group etc. Please bring banners, placards and whistles and be sensible going to and from the demo.

Mystery of BNP venue

The BNP has refused to release details of where its conference will begin tomorrow.
It is believed the event will be staged in Blackpool, but the party will only confirm the date and that it will be held in the North West.

The event has been hosted by the New Kimberley Hotel, South Promenade, for the past three years. Hotel bosses have refused to say if it will be held there tomorrow, but earlier this year management did say they would be prepared to cater for the event.

Police say they have not been made aware of the location of the conference – which will be taking place on the same day as soldiers from 12 Regiment Royal Artillery are welcomed home to the resort from the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq, with a special parade and service.

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said: "Our events and planning department has not been made aware of the location of the BNP conference this weekend."

The Unite Against Fascism North West group said it believed the conference was due to take place in Blackpool, but was not aware of the exact location. Paul Jenkins, regional organiser, said: "In previous years, it has been held at the New Kimberley but we do not know if this is the case again this time. We have heard a few rumours, but nothing substantial at the moment."

Local BNP organiser James Clayton told The Gazette the venue was being 'kept under wraps'. He said: "The conference is this weekend, but I cannot confirm whether it is in Blackpool or not. As far as I know, it will be held somewhere in the North West. I don't even know where it is being held yet."

Earlier this year, the BNP said it would definitely be holding its next conference in the resort, after its 'victory rally' took place at the New Kimberley in June. The controversial right wing party was celebrating its success at the European Parliament elections. Extra police were drafted in as anti-fascist groups held a protest outside the South Promenade hotel.

BNP leader Nick Griffin was elected as North West MEP in June.

Blackpool Gazette

BNP protester attacked in Blackpool

A man was left with a broken nose when he was attacked after leaving an anti-BNP demonstration in Blackpool. His companion suffered cuts and bruises during the altercation.

It happened after the pair had walked away from a Unite Against Fascism protest held outside the Kimberley Hotel on South Promenade where the BNP was holding its annual conference.

The demonstration itself was heavily policed and went off without any trouble, but the victims had left the vicinity of the hotel when the incident occured.

The Socialist Party, of which they are members, believes the attacker was a far right supporter. But the BNP today dismissed claims that it was someone attending their event.

Blackpool Police has confirmed the attack took place at around 2.30pm on Saturday, but said they could not link it directly with the BNP conference.

Blackpool Gazette

Over 200 protest against BNP conference

The demo arrives...

Well over two hundred anti-fascists attended an enthusiastic and lively demonstration outside the wretched New Kimberley Hotel in Blackpool yesterday, in a protest at the British National Party bringing its conference to Blackpool for the third year in a row. Demonstrators and speakers came from as far away as Oxford and speakers for the day represented numerous organisations including Blackpool and Fleetwood UAF, UNISON, Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre TUC, Barrow and South Cumbria UAF, Lancaster University SAAR, North-West UAF, the NUT, national UAF, Manchester UAF, Gay Activist's Alliance International and the CWU.

The demo began with us gathering outside the rear entrance to the Winter Gardens, where a couple of pro-BNP louts shouted abuse for no apparent reason. We heard a number of speakers there, then marched briskly along the prom, giving out hundreds of leaflets and receiving many supporting cheers on the way to South Shore, where we gathered for the demo proper outside the tatty New Kimberley Hotel, a hazard to humans though not, apparently, to members of the BNP, which tells us quite a lot about the party.

There is a reasonable report on the demo (that sadly includes a moment of Nick Griffin) which you can access by going here and clicking on Latest News Bulletins over on the right. Just select the one for Saturday and there we are.

Demonstrators arriving at the New Kimberley

To stop them making abusive gestures (as they have in previous years) and generally attempting to intimidate protestors, the BNP conference delegates (once again, about sixty of them, according to an ITV reporter who had been inside the rathole) were ordered to remain behind the closed and filthy curtains of the New Kimberley by the police. To be fair, most of them did as they were told, with the exception of bone-headed Clive Jefferson, who seems to be the current head of security and the Cumbria organiser, who stuck his ugly mug out on at least a half-dozen occasions.

According to our man in the BNP's security team, they spent most of the day concerned with the seating arrangements for lunch and dinner - at least until someone asked for a glass of water and nobody could find any. Headless chickens, was the phrase used. Here's a tip for future members of possibly the most idiotic security team the BNP has ever put together - use the tap.

Security spent a good deal of Saturday worrying about someone who was round the rear of the Kimberley, apparently taking photographs of the hell-hole from the back. This caused major panic, mostly because with the police in close proximity the heavies couldn't just go out and beat the crap out of the guy and nick his camera. Jefferson was eventually forced to order the bovine Martin Reynolds to go and speak to the police while his mates took a note of the photographer's vehicle registration number - no doubt soon to appear on Redwatch. Reynolds had no idea how to do this and was humiliatingly lectured by the appallingly arrogant Jefferson on what he should say, how to say it and told in no uncertain terms to get on with it.

Demonstrators listening to speakers outside the 'conference'

A demo is useful for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to let the BNP know (and to continue letting them know) that there is opposition to their fascism out here and that there are people who are prepared to stand up and voice that opposition despite intimidation from the lunatic element of the far-right party. One demonstrator, who was waiting to meet up with some friends after the demo, was abused and spat at by a BNP supporter. Rather than putting her off organising against the far-right party, this has added to her determination to do all she can to fight against it. Demo's are also useful for making new contacts or re-establishing old ones - a fact that was borne out when I got back and realised that I'd collected twenty-odd email addresses and phone numbers to go on our contact list.

Thank you to everyone who made the effort to turn out, particularly to our many friends who travelled from well out of the area. Many thanks also to our speakers who all did a sterling job and our great thanks to the many members of the Blackpool public who stopped to chat or who were driving past but gave us the thumbs-up. Even the weather behaved itself (for a change).

Remember, this 'conference' was the starting point for Nick Griffin's attempt to heave himself on to the European Parliament. They started their campaign for Europe at Blackpool - for no reason other than that the New Kimberley is the only rancid shithole in the country that will take the scum of the BNP for a whole three days. Saturday's demonstration should be seen as the beginning of a massive and unrelenting campaign to keep Griffin and the rest of his party out of Europe. Let's keep them out!

Join the demo against the BNP Conference at Blackpool on Saturday November 15th

This post is sticky - newer posts appear below it

Once again, it has become clear that the fascist BNP is holding its annual conference in Blackpool. This year's conference has a special edge to it though because the party's leader Nick Griffin is using the event to springboard his NW England campaign for a seat on the European Parliament - the elections for which take place next June. Griffin has been yearning for a place in Europe for years - desperate to get his sticky mitts on the vast expenses that can be run up by the greedier and more unscrupulous Euro MP.

Should he win a place, we could see the income of the BNP improve dramatically, to the detriment of everyone who opposes it. Richard Barnbrook tithes 10% (£5,000) from his income as a London Assembly member and Griffin would be expected to do the same. This amount can buy an awful lot of lying leaflets and/or petrol for the infamous Lie Lorry. Once inside Europe, Griffin's BNP would also strengthen its links with the many other far-right groups that are represented at Brussels, some of which are a good deal more overtly to the right of the BNP.

We have a good deal of work to do to keep Griffin or any of his acolytes out of Europe, and he knows there is a real possibility of winning a seat this time. With Euro-scepticism rife and the right-wing press slagging off the EU on any pretext, the mood is in his favour. But we'll fight him and we'll keep him out - and Blackpool is the very first stage of this fight. While he announces his campaign, we'll be there to show him and Blackpool BNP that there is massive opposition that is prepared to stand up and be counted.

A triple demo then - opposition to the BNP conference, opposition to the BNP in Blackpool and a big two-fingers to Griffin's opening shot in his campaign for a seat on the European Parliament.

Time: 12 noon

Date: Saturday November 15th

Location: the square at the top of Victoria Street at the side entrance to the Winter Gardens. A map that clearly shows the location is at the top of this post.

Directions: If you're coming from the prom, aim for Blackpool Tower and Victoria Street is just a few metres to the North of it. Victoria Street is pedestrianised so walk to the other end of it and you'll find us in the big square next to the Winter Gardens. For drivers, the best way is to park up in the Hounds Hill shopping centre multi-storey car park, go out through the shopping centre and you're in Victoria Street. Turn right and the demo is a fifty metre stroll.

Dress up warm. It's chilly in Blackpool in November.

200 protest against dismal BNP conference

Around two hundred anti-fascists gathered outside the ghastly New Kimberley Hotel in Blackpool yesterday to protest at the British National Party holding their conference at the resort for the second time. Protesters came from Blackpool itself, Lancaster, Barrow, Manchester, Tyne and Wear, Nottinghamshire and Liverpool, and included students and trades unionists.

Speakers included Donna Guthrie: UAF, Stephen Mullen: Blackpool and the Fylde College Student's Union, Alec McFadden: North West TUC, Jane Rogers: Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre TUC, Paul Jenkins: Barrow and South Cumbria UAF, Dan Ratcliffe: Lancaster University SAAR, Mike Killian: Manchester UAF and others.

The BNP, rather than standing around sneering at us from inside the hotel as they did last year, chose instead to hide behind drawn curtains - except for a few who appeared momentarily to snap off a picture or two, much to the annoyance of the police who had told them not to. While most of the people who choose to do this at least tried to be discreet, Mark Collett, being the BNP's most arrogant moron, pulled his curtain wide open and stood in front of it grinning down at us until ordered to stop being a prat by the police.

This buffoon craves the limelight, good or bad, and one wonders why any party leader, particularly one as paranoid as Nick Griffin, would want such an uppity and ambitious little snot standing very closely behind him. I'd advise Griffin to check for concealed knives.

Cumbria BNP's Clive Jefferson made a couple of appearances at the door for no apparent reason, though maybe he simply wanted to be caught on Granada TV's camera. While on the subject of Granada TV, there was an excellent report on the demo last night including (sadly) a snippet of Griffin followed by three of our people. Nice. If anyone managed to get a digital recording of it, please sling it across to us at lancaster.uaf@zen.co.uk

A number of people at the demo speculated on the reason for the curtains being closed and it was suggested that the most likely reason was that there was hardly anyone in there attending the conference. This was borne out an hour or so after the demo had ended, when a group of us drove past the hotel on our way home only to see that the curtains had been opened and that there was a small cluster of around fifteen to twenty people sitting around a table in the dining room apparently engaged in a discussion. Maybe they were asking where the missing accounts have got to.

Assuming that a similar discussion was taking place in the resident's lounge (though it looked empty to us) that indicates a 'national' conference attended by about forty people. Wow.

All in all, a good demo. The weather didn't get too out of control, the conference looked pretty dismal and our speakers were great.

Thank you to everyone who made the effort to turn out, particularly to our friends who travelled from well out of the area. Many thanks to our speakers who all did a sterling job despite being frozen and our thanks to the many members of the Blackpool public who stopped to chat or who were driving past but gave us the thumbs-up.

Well done everyone (and thanks to Jim B. and Phil for the pics). :-)