Leaders unite against the BNP

Leading figures across Greater Manchester have united to call on voters to shun the BNP

North West MEP Arlene McCarthy was joined by Minister for Europe Caroline Flint to urge people to vote in June 4 European Elections this morning. They met local residents at the Inspire Sister’s base on Hamilton Road in Longsight.

Ms McCarthy told the audience: "I am proud to represent a strong multicultural city whose strength comes from its local diverse community. To keep this diversity going we must make sure we get our voices heard and vote. People like Nick Griffin, of the British National Party (BNP) and former leader of the national front could win a platform in Brussels if we do not cast our vote. We have strived to get this far, let’s not let the BNP ruin what we as a community have achieved."

Representatives of all the city's biggest faith communities signed a pledge opposing the extreme right-wing party, which hopes to exploit public anger over the MPs' expenses scandal in European elections on June 4.

Greater Manchester Faith Communities, which is comprised of Christians of all denominations, Jews, Muslims and Sikhs, has said: "We express our concern at the racist history and policies of the British National Party. We say `No' to the BNP's view of the world. We say `Yes' to neighbourhoods where there is peace, justice and equality for everyone, whoever they are."

The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, has branded the BNP as a party of `division, fear and hatred'. Earlier this year he called for all mainstream parties and people of all faiths to reject the BNP.

He said: "There are those who do not share our vision of Manchester and who will seek political success by preaching division and hatred. They will use racism and other prejudice to challenge the diversity, which strengthens our city. They will exploit the difficult times, which presently face our country, trying to turn one community against the other. They will use difference as a scapegoat because they have nothing else to offer in response to the issues we face. The BNP offers only division, fear and hatred."

The Oldham Interfaith Forum, are urging Oldhamers to vote on 4 June and not to withhold their votes in protest over the expense scandal.

Spokesperson Fazal Rahim said: "Oldham is a diverse community and we are proud of all our citizens. Our diversity is strength and we need to do all we can to maintain it. The far right BNP is campaigning to dismantle, disrupt and fragment our society. The Forum rejects the demonisation of any part of our community on the basis of faith or race, and refutes the claims of the BNP to speak for the Christian faith. Their message is a travesty of the Christian faith, an insult to other faiths and a danger to the harmony of our Borough."

Mohammed Shafiq from Rochdale based Muslim campaigning group, Ramadhan Foundation added: "The coming together of all faiths is hugely symbolic in sending the message that the UK can become a fascist’s free zone.

The racist, fascist and Nazi ideology of the BNP is the same as the Hitler loving hatred which Churchill defeated during the Second World War and I am certain that the BNP will be defeated in the same way by showing the British people the true colours of racism in the BNP."

Archbishops of Canterbury and York said it would be `tragic' if people abstained or voted BNP in the Euro polls and urged people to exercise `great vigilance' when deciding how to vote.
The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev John Sentamu, has condemned the party for language `which is beyond belief'.

Asian News

Leaders' united fight against BNP

Faith, community and business leaders have gathered in Manchester to show a united front against the British National Party (BNP).

The Manchester Diocese of the Church of England held a signing of a pledge to fight the BNP at Manchester Cathedral. The faith leaders are urging people not to vote for the party at the Euro elections on 4 June. BNP leader Nick Griffin is standing in the North West.

The BNP described the pledge as "bullying, intimidation and blackmail".

The giant pledge read: "We oppose the racist and fascist BNP who stand to undermine 'our' Manchester."

Figures include the Bishop of Bolton, the Bishop of Middleton and the only black dean of a UK cathedral, Rodgers Govender, Dean of Manchester Cathedral. The faith leaders said: "As leaders of Greater Manchester Faith Communities, we want to express our support for the local religious leaders. Alongside them, we express our concern at the racist history and policies of the British National Party, which is fielding a candidate. We say 'no' to the BNP's view of the world."

Others signatures are from Greater Manchester's Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities groups.

Simon Darby, deputy leader of the BNP said the action was "wholly disgusting and unnecessary." He added: "This is bullying, intimidation and blackmail. If people have made up their mind to vote for us, they will do. It is not for the church to tell people who they can and can't vote for. They are throwing themselves at at the altar of political correctness."

BBC