Anti-fascists targeting BNP campaign

Voters are to be targeted by an anti-fascist group working to keep the British National Party at bay. Members of the Bridgend Unite Against Fascism group will be handing out leaflets in the town during next weekend's continental market.

Spokesman Jeff Hurford said they wanted to raise awareness about the far-right BNP's bid for National Assembly seats. They also want to encourage residents to use their vote for one of the other parties because they fear apathy may gift the BNP a win.

A charity concert held in Bridgend Recreation Centre last weekend called Love Music, Hate Racism, raised £1,200 for the Unite group. The money will be put towards the cost of distributing anti-racism leaflets to every home in the Bridgend and Ogmore constituencies ahead of the May 3 election.

The BNP is putting up a record 20 candidates this year, with leader Nick Griffin making a bid for the South Wales West constituency seat.

At a meeting in Aberkenfig, near Bridgend, earlier this month, members of parties including Labour, the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru, gave a commitment to fight the threat posed by the BNP.

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Parties unite in opposition to BNP as poll looms

Politicians from all parties have put their differences aside in a bid to oppose the far-right British National Party. Sitting Assembly Members abandoned their campaigning and joined candidates and community members to discuss the BNP.

The group is putting up a record 20 candidates in the National Assembly election, with the most high profile bid for power coming from leader Nick Griffin in the South Wales West constituency.

At a meeting in the Glamorgan Muslim Community Centre, Aberkenfig, near Bridgend, on Saturday, politicians including Environment Minister and Bridgend AM Carwyn Jones and Plaid Cymru candidate Bethan Jenkins pledged their commitment to tackling discrimination against ethnic minorities.

The Bridgend Unite Against Fascism Group, which organised the gathering, believes the BNP is a racist party which poses a threat to democracy and freedom.

Unite spokesman Jeff Hurford said: 'The highlight of the day was being able to get all of the parties together and a commitment to showing unity against the BNP. This all bodes well for future co-operation between the parties ahead of next year's council elections.'

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