Nick Griffin is speaking at a BNP meeting at The Globe, 7 Mysydd Road, Landore, Swansea on Saturday.
Please phone the landlord to register a polite complaint on 01792 301 998.Thanks.
Showing posts with label Wales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wales. Show all posts
March 05, 2011
February 16, 2011
BNP councillor quits party in protest over assualt row
The Welsh wing of the far-right British National Party is said to be in turmoil after a Llandybie community councillor tore up his membership following the Guardian's coverage of an assault carried out by a party member.
According to Cllr Kevin Edwards, the Guardian's reporting of BNP member Roger Phillips' attack on Adam Margetts in Cross Hands on December 20 has set the party back years in Wales. The Llandybie councillor says he resigned after a meeting of party organisers went back on a pledge from BNP leader Nick Griffin to have Mr Phillips dismissed from the party.
Mr Griffin had sent Cllr Edwards an email regarding Mr Phillips' actions, stating: "He's got to go. I'm shocked that this was not dealt with in South Wales ages ago."
However, Cllr Edwards claims that the party's refusal to oust "thuggish" Mr Phillips, has left him no choice but to cut all links with the BNP.
"My mobile number never stopped with calls from distraught ex and current members who were deeply disturbed over this incident that has set the BNP back years in west Wales," said Cllr Edwards, who will continue to stand as a "Justice 4 Linda Lewis Campaign" councillor at Llandybie. Last year fellow Llandybie community councillor Meirion Bowen also resigned from the BNP.
Following his resignation, Cllr Edwards' blog was inundated with messages of support from party members.
"This is a very serious and major setback for the profile of the BNP in Wales," said one anonymous poster.
South Wales Guardian
According to Cllr Kevin Edwards, the Guardian's reporting of BNP member Roger Phillips' attack on Adam Margetts in Cross Hands on December 20 has set the party back years in Wales. The Llandybie councillor says he resigned after a meeting of party organisers went back on a pledge from BNP leader Nick Griffin to have Mr Phillips dismissed from the party.
Mr Griffin had sent Cllr Edwards an email regarding Mr Phillips' actions, stating: "He's got to go. I'm shocked that this was not dealt with in South Wales ages ago."
However, Cllr Edwards claims that the party's refusal to oust "thuggish" Mr Phillips, has left him no choice but to cut all links with the BNP.
"My mobile number never stopped with calls from distraught ex and current members who were deeply disturbed over this incident that has set the BNP back years in west Wales," said Cllr Edwards, who will continue to stand as a "Justice 4 Linda Lewis Campaign" councillor at Llandybie. Last year fellow Llandybie community councillor Meirion Bowen also resigned from the BNP.
Following his resignation, Cllr Edwards' blog was inundated with messages of support from party members.
"This is a very serious and major setback for the profile of the BNP in Wales," said one anonymous poster.
South Wales Guardian
Labels:
BNP,
British National Party,
Nick Griffin,
Roger Phillips,
Wales
March 16, 2010
Welsh BNP official threatens 'bitch' Baroness with hanging
Click on image for full-sizePhillips seems to have developed a bit of a death-threat habit - see 'Police investigate alleged death threats over YouTube BNP video'. He's also an unrepentant (and unsurprising) racist - see 'Top clubs ban Welsh BNP goods' - under the usual piss-poor disguise of being a patriot, naturally.
Labels:
Baroness Uddin,
BNP,
British National Party,
Roger Phillips,
Wales
December 27, 2009
Archbishop warning as BNP target Christians for support
Archbishop of Wales Barry Morgan has led a scathing attack on the British National Party over its claims to represent Christian values
Party leader Nick Griffin has previously said the BNP stands in the tradition of the Crusader knights who fought Muslim armies. He claims the BNP are fighting the “Islamification” of Britain. Writing in the BNP newspaper Voice of Freedom, Mr Griffin said: “The British National Party will never allow our children to become a minority in their own homeland. Just like our Crusader ancestors, we will fight to preserve our Christian culture and heritage.”
But Dr Morgan, together with fellow Welsh faith leaders, said the right-wing party’s vision ran counter to a Christian understanding of humanity. In an interview with the Western Mail to coincide with his annual Christmas address, Dr Morgan said: “I really do object to their claim to represent Christian cultural values. Unless you’re white and Anglo-Saxon you don’t seem to count for very much. That runs totally against any Christian understanding of humanity where we believe each person is made in the image of God.”
In November senior BNP members voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of holding a ballot on whether to allow non-white people to join. This followed court action brought by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The case is adjourned until January 28.
Dr Morgan was confident the BNP would not make inroads, saying: “I certainly don’t think it’s much of an issue in Wales.”
The party responded furiously to Dr Morgan’s comments. BNP deputy leader Simon Darby said: “If these church leaders are not prepared to defend Christianity themselves, they should not complain when someone else does just that. It’s all very well people like the Archbishop talking about defending Christian values but at the end of the day they are not prepared to do anything about it. He should probably be prosecuted under the Trade Descriptions Act.
“Whole swathes of London, for example, are no longer Christian, and people like the Archbishop have been quite happy to stand by and see churches turned into mosques. If someone doesn’t stand up for real Christian values, it won’t be a Christian country for very much longer, but an Islamic republic.”
Guto Prys ap Gwynfor, president of the Union of Welsh Independent Churches, urged people not to support parties which promote division in the upcoming Westminster elections. He said: “We are firmly opposed to any kind of incitement to hatred, fear of the other, or suspicion of our neighbour – whoever he or she may be. We would urge people to vote according to their conscience and support politicians and policies which best reflect and uphold the values of the Christian Gospel.”
Denying that a respect for other cultures threatened Welsh culture, he added: “In Wales, we have a long tradition of neighbourly respect and concern for other cultures and beliefs. This need not conflict with our desire to uphold our own faith and culture.”
Jim Stewart, a spokesman for Evangelical Alliance Wales – which represents churches from 30 denominations – also condemned the attempt to portray the BNP as defenders of Christianity. He said: “Christians need to do their homework in the run-up to the General Election so that they are informed and vote responsibly. Of particular concern at the moment are attempts being made by the BNP to ingratiate themselves with the church and to claim to speak on behalf of Christians. Although we recognise that Christians will vote for a number of different parties in the General Election – including a number of minor parties as well as the four main ones – the case of the BNP is different.”
Mr Stewart said the BNP’s beliefs were “anti-Christian” and had “no place in a civilised, welcoming Welsh society.” He said: “The BNP categorically does not speak on behalf of Christians in Wales.”
Meanwhile, in a wide-ranging interview, Dr Morgan set out the challenges he sees facing Wales in 2010. He believes the Church in Wales has a vital role to play in a modern nation where families fear for loved ones in Afghanistan. The Anglican leader is further convinced that an overhaul of mental health services is urgently needed.
Supporting the families of members of the armed forces has become an important pastoral task in churches throughout Wales. He said: “Whatever one thinks of whether we ought to be in [Afghanistan], the fact is these decisions have been made whether they were right or wrong. That’s not the fault of soldiers.
“They go because that’s what they are required to do. The families left behind are at times worried sick. If you are in the middle of a conflict you get on with the job and you don’t always think about the dangers whereas families at home are just dreading the knock on the door or the ring of the telephone.”
Arguing that Wales must confront crises on its own doorstep, he said: “I think the nation is beginning to realise we need to rediscover fundamental values to build a better world and we can’t just leave it to economists.”
Congregations may have shrunk but he is convinced the network of more than 1,000 places of worship gives the church a unique insight into the realities of Wales at the start of a new decade. He said: “There are still a lot of children who live in poverty and we don’t realise just how much poverty there is in Wales. It is not just overseas.”
The archbishop is also alarmed by the “chasm” between the wealthiest and poorest and contends there is a direct link between deprivation and mental illness.
“A lot of that has been caused by problems such as poverty and loneliness,” he said.
Concerned by research which suggests a quarter of children and young people may suffer from some form of disorder, he said: “That’s incredible. It seems to me mental health is still very much a taboo subject.”
But Dr Morgan remains convinced that the Anglican church can make a unique contribution in contemporary society. He said: “It’s the only organisation in every community where people from one-day-old to 100-years-old come together. It doesn’t matter what social strata you come from – you’re welcome.”
Wales Online
Party leader Nick Griffin has previously said the BNP stands in the tradition of the Crusader knights who fought Muslim armies. He claims the BNP are fighting the “Islamification” of Britain. Writing in the BNP newspaper Voice of Freedom, Mr Griffin said: “The British National Party will never allow our children to become a minority in their own homeland. Just like our Crusader ancestors, we will fight to preserve our Christian culture and heritage.”
But Dr Morgan, together with fellow Welsh faith leaders, said the right-wing party’s vision ran counter to a Christian understanding of humanity. In an interview with the Western Mail to coincide with his annual Christmas address, Dr Morgan said: “I really do object to their claim to represent Christian cultural values. Unless you’re white and Anglo-Saxon you don’t seem to count for very much. That runs totally against any Christian understanding of humanity where we believe each person is made in the image of God.”
In November senior BNP members voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of holding a ballot on whether to allow non-white people to join. This followed court action brought by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The case is adjourned until January 28.
Dr Morgan was confident the BNP would not make inroads, saying: “I certainly don’t think it’s much of an issue in Wales.”
The party responded furiously to Dr Morgan’s comments. BNP deputy leader Simon Darby said: “If these church leaders are not prepared to defend Christianity themselves, they should not complain when someone else does just that. It’s all very well people like the Archbishop talking about defending Christian values but at the end of the day they are not prepared to do anything about it. He should probably be prosecuted under the Trade Descriptions Act.
“Whole swathes of London, for example, are no longer Christian, and people like the Archbishop have been quite happy to stand by and see churches turned into mosques. If someone doesn’t stand up for real Christian values, it won’t be a Christian country for very much longer, but an Islamic republic.”
Guto Prys ap Gwynfor, president of the Union of Welsh Independent Churches, urged people not to support parties which promote division in the upcoming Westminster elections. He said: “We are firmly opposed to any kind of incitement to hatred, fear of the other, or suspicion of our neighbour – whoever he or she may be. We would urge people to vote according to their conscience and support politicians and policies which best reflect and uphold the values of the Christian Gospel.”
Denying that a respect for other cultures threatened Welsh culture, he added: “In Wales, we have a long tradition of neighbourly respect and concern for other cultures and beliefs. This need not conflict with our desire to uphold our own faith and culture.”
Jim Stewart, a spokesman for Evangelical Alliance Wales – which represents churches from 30 denominations – also condemned the attempt to portray the BNP as defenders of Christianity. He said: “Christians need to do their homework in the run-up to the General Election so that they are informed and vote responsibly. Of particular concern at the moment are attempts being made by the BNP to ingratiate themselves with the church and to claim to speak on behalf of Christians. Although we recognise that Christians will vote for a number of different parties in the General Election – including a number of minor parties as well as the four main ones – the case of the BNP is different.”
Mr Stewart said the BNP’s beliefs were “anti-Christian” and had “no place in a civilised, welcoming Welsh society.” He said: “The BNP categorically does not speak on behalf of Christians in Wales.”
Meanwhile, in a wide-ranging interview, Dr Morgan set out the challenges he sees facing Wales in 2010. He believes the Church in Wales has a vital role to play in a modern nation where families fear for loved ones in Afghanistan. The Anglican leader is further convinced that an overhaul of mental health services is urgently needed.
Supporting the families of members of the armed forces has become an important pastoral task in churches throughout Wales. He said: “Whatever one thinks of whether we ought to be in [Afghanistan], the fact is these decisions have been made whether they were right or wrong. That’s not the fault of soldiers.
“They go because that’s what they are required to do. The families left behind are at times worried sick. If you are in the middle of a conflict you get on with the job and you don’t always think about the dangers whereas families at home are just dreading the knock on the door or the ring of the telephone.”
Arguing that Wales must confront crises on its own doorstep, he said: “I think the nation is beginning to realise we need to rediscover fundamental values to build a better world and we can’t just leave it to economists.”
Congregations may have shrunk but he is convinced the network of more than 1,000 places of worship gives the church a unique insight into the realities of Wales at the start of a new decade. He said: “There are still a lot of children who live in poverty and we don’t realise just how much poverty there is in Wales. It is not just overseas.”
The archbishop is also alarmed by the “chasm” between the wealthiest and poorest and contends there is a direct link between deprivation and mental illness.
“A lot of that has been caused by problems such as poverty and loneliness,” he said.
Concerned by research which suggests a quarter of children and young people may suffer from some form of disorder, he said: “That’s incredible. It seems to me mental health is still very much a taboo subject.”
But Dr Morgan remains convinced that the Anglican church can make a unique contribution in contemporary society. He said: “It’s the only organisation in every community where people from one-day-old to 100-years-old come together. It doesn’t matter what social strata you come from – you’re welcome.”
Wales Online
Labels:
anti-Muslim,
BNP,
Christianity,
EHRC,
Nick Griffin,
Simon Darby,
Wales
May 11, 2009
BNP Welsh on the deal
The full list of West Midlands’ candidates for next month’s European elections has been announced – and it includes more than a few notes of interest. Not least that the BNP’s top man for the region apparently lives in, er, Wales.
Simon Darby, who is the party’s deputy leader, already spends part of his week in the capital, where he’s the personal assistant of Richard Barnbrook, the far-right party’s sole elected representative on the London Assembly.
Given that he gives his address on the nomination papers as Powys, his commitment to the West Midlands is questionable to say the least.
Darby was, of course, voted onto Dudley Council in 2003, and lasted all of a year until an ungrateful electorate showed him the door.
His most recent intervention on the local scene was to turn up with his fuhrer Nick Griffin at the West Bromwich St George’s Day march Griffin – an avowedly non political event – thereby guaranteeing that it will never be funded by Sandwell Council again. Gee, thanks Simon.
In 2005, Darby shared a platform with former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard Don Black who is banned from entering Britain because of his extreme racist views; while at a meeting in Italy in April, he was greeted with a flurry of fascist salutes.
Other fringe candidates – albeit with a very different political complexion - come from the Christian Party, the English Democrats, and the Jury Team, funded by millionaire Sir Paul Judge, who is backing a wilfully diverse group of political virgins, selected via an online poll.
Former Labour MP Dave Nellist pops up with the No2EU: Yes To Democracy party, while Stirrer blogger John Tyrrell is standing for Arthur Scargill’s Socialist Labour Party.
The West Midlands has seven Euro MPs.
To see the full list of candidates click here (pdf file).
The Stirrer
Simon Darby, who is the party’s deputy leader, already spends part of his week in the capital, where he’s the personal assistant of Richard Barnbrook, the far-right party’s sole elected representative on the London Assembly.
Given that he gives his address on the nomination papers as Powys, his commitment to the West Midlands is questionable to say the least.
Darby was, of course, voted onto Dudley Council in 2003, and lasted all of a year until an ungrateful electorate showed him the door.
His most recent intervention on the local scene was to turn up with his fuhrer Nick Griffin at the West Bromwich St George’s Day march Griffin – an avowedly non political event – thereby guaranteeing that it will never be funded by Sandwell Council again. Gee, thanks Simon.
In 2005, Darby shared a platform with former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard Don Black who is banned from entering Britain because of his extreme racist views; while at a meeting in Italy in April, he was greeted with a flurry of fascist salutes.
Other fringe candidates – albeit with a very different political complexion - come from the Christian Party, the English Democrats, and the Jury Team, funded by millionaire Sir Paul Judge, who is backing a wilfully diverse group of political virgins, selected via an online poll.
Former Labour MP Dave Nellist pops up with the No2EU: Yes To Democracy party, while Stirrer blogger John Tyrrell is standing for Arthur Scargill’s Socialist Labour Party.
The West Midlands has seven Euro MPs.
To see the full list of candidates click here (pdf file).
The Stirrer
Labels:
BNP,
Euro Elections,
Ku Klux Klan,
Nick Griffin,
Richard Barnbrook,
Simon Darby,
Wales
May 06, 2007
Anti-fascists warn of BNP rise as record votes see near miss on Wales Assembly
Ken Livingstone, trade union representatives and anti-fascist activists highlight increases for fascism on the back of racism
Anti-fascist campaigners have warned that the BNP's near miss on the Wales Assembly on May 3rd shows that they will target future elections in Wales, the London Assembly and the European elections, attempting to breakthrough into mainstream politics. Campaigners highlighted that gains for the BNP are not inevitable and their electoral assault can be halted by the majority of voters taking part in elections.
In the North Wales regional list seat it polled 9986 votes, (5.1%) leaving it within 2,580 votes of gaining a seat on the Welsh Assembly. In 2003 Wales Assembly elections the BNP polled 3,210 when it stood in one of the five regions. The BNP stood an unprecedented number of seats in Wales, fielding four candidates in all 5 regional list seats polling a record 42,197 votes. It was given access to £410,000 worth of electoral communication including a televised party political broadcast and distribution of leaflets to every household in Wales.
The North Wales region included one of its highest votes in Wrexham where, in June 2003, local residents on the Caia estate rioted against dispersed asylum seekers culminating in racist attacks which resulted in dozens of criminal convictions. The BNP exploited this in their election campaign, claiming that the convicted perpetrators of racist violence were victims of attacks by Iraqi asylum seekers, and the police. Their party political broadcast attempted to perpetuate this lie and it was forced to change it before being broadcast on the BBC. The BNP also attacked Eastern European migrant workers and multiculturalism and threatened to remove migrant workers from the National Health Service in its manifesto.
Ken Livingstone, Chair of Unite Against Fascism said:
The Welsh Assembly election results confirm that the fascist BNP is continuing to grow on the back of vicious racist campaigns. We must redouble our efforts to ensure that their lies are challenged head on, that the discourse in the media and mainstream politics highlights the value of the communities they target. The task now for all those who value democracy and abhor violence is to stop this criminal, fascist organisation as it attempts to make further gains in the Welsh local council elections and the London Assembly next May.
Amarjite Singh, TUC Wales Race Equality Committee (personal capacity) said:
Any increase in the presence of fascists represents a threat to us all. The BNP is racist, anti-semitic, homophobic and islamophobic organisation. The trade union movement is a true reflection of the people of Wales; it welcomes diversity, migrant workers and all those who believe in democracy. The trade unions in Wales will continue to prioritise defeating fascism over the forthcoming year.
Weyman Bennett Joint National Secretary of Unite Against Fascism said:
The Welsh elections are of deep concern. The BNP used crude racism in order to marshal votes. The BNP has rightly been described as a Nazi organisation. Success for the BNP would mean they promote religious and racist divisions. UAF worked with anti-fascist activists, trade unionists, celebrities and community groups across the region to raise awareness of the danger they pose and to turnout the anti-fascist vote. Every person who voted against the BNP in Wales in this election helped stop the fascists making the breakthrough that they crave. The BNP can be stopped - we must ensure all those who are alarmed by these results turnout to vote next year.
Denis Fernando Joint National Secretary of Unite Against Fascism said:
The BNP is emboldened enough to now call itself 'the real party of nationalism in Wales '. The reality is that it is a fascist group that wants an all white Britain which is only possible by violence and shutting down democracy. When the BNP target an area, hate-crimes increase. In Barking where the BNP now have 12 councillors, racist attacks rose as the BNP targeted the area in the run up to its election. This is a blot on the landscape of London where multiculturalism is celebrated and racist attacks have fallen to record lows. A breakthrough for the BNP is not inevitable: it can be stopped if the majority of people who value democracy and reject fascism use their vote. UAF pledges to work with communities in key areas including London and Wales in the next 12 months to ensure that this electoral rise is challenged.
UAF
Anti-fascist campaigners have warned that the BNP's near miss on the Wales Assembly on May 3rd shows that they will target future elections in Wales, the London Assembly and the European elections, attempting to breakthrough into mainstream politics. Campaigners highlighted that gains for the BNP are not inevitable and their electoral assault can be halted by the majority of voters taking part in elections.
In the North Wales regional list seat it polled 9986 votes, (5.1%) leaving it within 2,580 votes of gaining a seat on the Welsh Assembly. In 2003 Wales Assembly elections the BNP polled 3,210 when it stood in one of the five regions. The BNP stood an unprecedented number of seats in Wales, fielding four candidates in all 5 regional list seats polling a record 42,197 votes. It was given access to £410,000 worth of electoral communication including a televised party political broadcast and distribution of leaflets to every household in Wales.
The North Wales region included one of its highest votes in Wrexham where, in June 2003, local residents on the Caia estate rioted against dispersed asylum seekers culminating in racist attacks which resulted in dozens of criminal convictions. The BNP exploited this in their election campaign, claiming that the convicted perpetrators of racist violence were victims of attacks by Iraqi asylum seekers, and the police. Their party political broadcast attempted to perpetuate this lie and it was forced to change it before being broadcast on the BBC. The BNP also attacked Eastern European migrant workers and multiculturalism and threatened to remove migrant workers from the National Health Service in its manifesto.
Ken Livingstone, Chair of Unite Against Fascism said:
The Welsh Assembly election results confirm that the fascist BNP is continuing to grow on the back of vicious racist campaigns. We must redouble our efforts to ensure that their lies are challenged head on, that the discourse in the media and mainstream politics highlights the value of the communities they target. The task now for all those who value democracy and abhor violence is to stop this criminal, fascist organisation as it attempts to make further gains in the Welsh local council elections and the London Assembly next May.
Amarjite Singh, TUC Wales Race Equality Committee (personal capacity) said:
Any increase in the presence of fascists represents a threat to us all. The BNP is racist, anti-semitic, homophobic and islamophobic organisation. The trade union movement is a true reflection of the people of Wales; it welcomes diversity, migrant workers and all those who believe in democracy. The trade unions in Wales will continue to prioritise defeating fascism over the forthcoming year.
Weyman Bennett Joint National Secretary of Unite Against Fascism said:
The Welsh elections are of deep concern. The BNP used crude racism in order to marshal votes. The BNP has rightly been described as a Nazi organisation. Success for the BNP would mean they promote religious and racist divisions. UAF worked with anti-fascist activists, trade unionists, celebrities and community groups across the region to raise awareness of the danger they pose and to turnout the anti-fascist vote. Every person who voted against the BNP in Wales in this election helped stop the fascists making the breakthrough that they crave. The BNP can be stopped - we must ensure all those who are alarmed by these results turnout to vote next year.
Denis Fernando Joint National Secretary of Unite Against Fascism said:
The BNP is emboldened enough to now call itself 'the real party of nationalism in Wales '. The reality is that it is a fascist group that wants an all white Britain which is only possible by violence and shutting down democracy. When the BNP target an area, hate-crimes increase. In Barking where the BNP now have 12 councillors, racist attacks rose as the BNP targeted the area in the run up to its election. This is a blot on the landscape of London where multiculturalism is celebrated and racist attacks have fallen to record lows. A breakthrough for the BNP is not inevitable: it can be stopped if the majority of people who value democracy and reject fascism use their vote. UAF pledges to work with communities in key areas including London and Wales in the next 12 months to ensure that this electoral rise is challenged.
UAF
Labels:
anti-fascist,
BNP,
fascism,
racism,
UAF,
Unite,
Wales,
Welsh Assembly.asylum seekers
May 05, 2007
Wales’ first ethnic minority AM
Wales will finally have an ethnic minority Assembly Member after Plaid Cymru’s Mohammad Ashgar was elected in South Wales East.
Mr Ashgar, 61, was the beneficiary of an extra Plaid seat on the regional list, at the expense of Conservative Laura Anne Jones. Mr Ashgar said that “harmony, peace and loving” and helping different sections of society understand each other were among his priorities, and admitted he was still “lost for words” after realising at 6am that he would be going to Cardiff Bay.
Campaigners hailed a breakthrough after attempts to get ethnic minority candidates in 1999 and 2003 foundered.
Simon Woolley, director of Operation Black Vote, said, “This is an historic and exciting day for Welsh politics. Multiculturalism has been celebrated by the election of Mohammad Ashgar as the first black Assembly member. Equally important was the Welsh electorate’s wholesale rejection of the racist BNP.”
Mr Ashgar was born in Peshawar and is councillor in Newport. He is also a member of Plaid Cymru’s national executive, and has contested seats in previous election campaigns.
“I’m very pleased to be the first AM from an ethnic minority, and I would like to see more getting elected to the Assembly,” he said. “I think we need to see a bigger Assembly, more than 60 people, to get proper representation.”
Mr Ashgar arrived at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay yesterday for a photocall with Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones, and for his first meeting with fellow Plaid AMs. He will take up his seat, alongside 14 other Plaid members, when the Assembly holds its first meeting of the of the new session on Wednesday. Plaid were always confident that he would be elected, having come close to capturing the extra list seat in South East Wales on a disappointing election night in 2003. Having failed to deliver a single leaflet in parts of the region four years ago, a co-ordinated campaign was launched to make the seat safe.
Mr Ashgar said, “I am very pleased and I’m sure people are voting for me because they like Plaid Cymru. Plaid had the best manifesto of all the parties. We’re in South-East Wales, we’re not the Far East, it’s part of Wales like any other part of the country.”
The South-East Wales region contained some of the most deprived areas of Britain, he said, and said he wanted to see tackling poverty and deprivation as his main aim in office.
“We’re close to England, but we’re very far away from some of the developments we’ve seen in places like Bristol,” he said.
Mr Ashgar thanked fellow Plaid AM Jocelyn Davies for encouraging him to stand and helping him with his campaign.
“I will be serving with my heart and soul for ethnic minorities which are a definite part of the United Kingdom now, and Wales. I’m lost for words. I’m very excited and I don’t know what to say.”
Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said he was delighted with the result.
“I have come to know him over the years, and I know about his commitment to the party,” he said. He will not only be representing ethnic minorities but be a good, hard working AM and a good constituency representative.”
Elaine Clayton, Deputy Director of Valleys Race Equality Council, said, “For more than 150 years black communities have been fundamental to the fabric of Welsh society, in the docks, in the mines and today in every walk of life. Our communities, by voting, continue our positive contribution to this great nation.”
icWales
Mr Ashgar, 61, was the beneficiary of an extra Plaid seat on the regional list, at the expense of Conservative Laura Anne Jones. Mr Ashgar said that “harmony, peace and loving” and helping different sections of society understand each other were among his priorities, and admitted he was still “lost for words” after realising at 6am that he would be going to Cardiff Bay.
Campaigners hailed a breakthrough after attempts to get ethnic minority candidates in 1999 and 2003 foundered.
Simon Woolley, director of Operation Black Vote, said, “This is an historic and exciting day for Welsh politics. Multiculturalism has been celebrated by the election of Mohammad Ashgar as the first black Assembly member. Equally important was the Welsh electorate’s wholesale rejection of the racist BNP.”
Mr Ashgar was born in Peshawar and is councillor in Newport. He is also a member of Plaid Cymru’s national executive, and has contested seats in previous election campaigns.
“I’m very pleased to be the first AM from an ethnic minority, and I would like to see more getting elected to the Assembly,” he said. “I think we need to see a bigger Assembly, more than 60 people, to get proper representation.”
Mr Ashgar arrived at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay yesterday for a photocall with Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones, and for his first meeting with fellow Plaid AMs. He will take up his seat, alongside 14 other Plaid members, when the Assembly holds its first meeting of the of the new session on Wednesday. Plaid were always confident that he would be elected, having come close to capturing the extra list seat in South East Wales on a disappointing election night in 2003. Having failed to deliver a single leaflet in parts of the region four years ago, a co-ordinated campaign was launched to make the seat safe.
Mr Ashgar said, “I am very pleased and I’m sure people are voting for me because they like Plaid Cymru. Plaid had the best manifesto of all the parties. We’re in South-East Wales, we’re not the Far East, it’s part of Wales like any other part of the country.”
The South-East Wales region contained some of the most deprived areas of Britain, he said, and said he wanted to see tackling poverty and deprivation as his main aim in office.
“We’re close to England, but we’re very far away from some of the developments we’ve seen in places like Bristol,” he said.
Mr Ashgar thanked fellow Plaid AM Jocelyn Davies for encouraging him to stand and helping him with his campaign.
“I will be serving with my heart and soul for ethnic minorities which are a definite part of the United Kingdom now, and Wales. I’m lost for words. I’m very excited and I don’t know what to say.”
Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said he was delighted with the result.
“I have come to know him over the years, and I know about his commitment to the party,” he said. He will not only be representing ethnic minorities but be a good, hard working AM and a good constituency representative.”
Elaine Clayton, Deputy Director of Valleys Race Equality Council, said, “For more than 150 years black communities have been fundamental to the fabric of Welsh society, in the docks, in the mines and today in every walk of life. Our communities, by voting, continue our positive contribution to this great nation.”
icWales
Labels:
Ashgar,
BNP,
ethnic minority,
Plaid Cymru,
racist BNP,
Wales,
Welsh Assembly
May 01, 2007
Fascist Endorsements
The BNP Wales webpage shamelessly piggybacks a company it claims is unrelated to the BNP, hoping to curry more interest within the business community for white supremacist politics.
The BNP offer their friendly endorsement of Tamworth car manufacturing goods company Tamworth Graphix, whom they strongly recommend for their "Union Jack numberplates".
Seriously struggling for legally-accountable financial backing, the suited, media-savvy neo-Nazis are quick to endorse companies on their website without mutual recognition, even though, serious legal action is currenly ongoing in several cases, where companies do not wish to be associated with a racist whites-only "political party" who seek to reintroduce apartheid to the world, imposing Nuremberg-style laws against Muslims, jews, black, gay, and Asian people.
Following the Nick Griffin, Mark Collett, and Robert Cottage trials, the BNP, however believe they are invincible, and somehow, above the laws of the land (they proclaim they know and love so dear).
Some companies are ethical, and others, not so, however "people power" demands ethical accountability, more and more, which is why such important issues such as arms investment, environmental audits, sweatshop labour, and fair trade, are increasingly shaping consumer purchase patterns throughout business and commerce.
Whether or not Tamworth Graphix do (or do not) endorse the racist British National Party's official approval of one of their products, we really do not know. The BNP's webpage provides a weak disclaimer that they have no (known) connection with the company, however, Tamworth Graphix do own the rights to their brand, and ultimately have the final say over the legality of product endorsements.
If Tamworth Graphix do not wish to profit from the "white supremacy pound", and are throughly disgusted at the BNP's seemingly unofficial endorsement, we strongly advise the company to seek legal advice, if the image of the company is to steer clear of erroneous publicity, and seek removal of the link, forthwith.
The BNP is quick to claim everybody is its friend, when in-fact, like the losers they are, the only friends they have, are in the worldwide "white nationalism" movement.
Their flashy suits, and spin-doctored demeanours might suggest respectability, but no matter how the Hitler-loving bunch of violent criminals, Holocaust deniers, terrorists, football hooligans, and veteran nobodies "blessed with the ugly stick" attempt to "pimp their party", nobody will be fooled.
Not least the intelligent voters of Wales, England, and Scotland.
The United Kingdom has no long-term tradition of organised fascism, which is why Mosley, Enoch Powell, and the National Front were resoundingly defeated. As will the "British Nazi Party". A handful of parochial town hall seats will never make the party a major player in the increasingly cosmopolitan world of popular culture (let alone politics), which is why there are increasingly coded references in Nick Griffin's interviews to civil wars and revolutions.
Like Adolf Hitler, the BNP would switch from democracy to armed revolution, given half a chance, with castrophic consequences, which is why such a criminally-minded racist organisation must be harangued and harried at every juncture.
Which is why bona companies such as Tamworth Graphix must steer clear of fascist endorsement.
The BNP offer their friendly endorsement of Tamworth car manufacturing goods company Tamworth Graphix, whom they strongly recommend for their "Union Jack numberplates".
Seriously struggling for legally-accountable financial backing, the suited, media-savvy neo-Nazis are quick to endorse companies on their website without mutual recognition, even though, serious legal action is currenly ongoing in several cases, where companies do not wish to be associated with a racist whites-only "political party" who seek to reintroduce apartheid to the world, imposing Nuremberg-style laws against Muslims, jews, black, gay, and Asian people.
Following the Nick Griffin, Mark Collett, and Robert Cottage trials, the BNP, however believe they are invincible, and somehow, above the laws of the land (they proclaim they know and love so dear).
Some companies are ethical, and others, not so, however "people power" demands ethical accountability, more and more, which is why such important issues such as arms investment, environmental audits, sweatshop labour, and fair trade, are increasingly shaping consumer purchase patterns throughout business and commerce.
Whether or not Tamworth Graphix do (or do not) endorse the racist British National Party's official approval of one of their products, we really do not know. The BNP's webpage provides a weak disclaimer that they have no (known) connection with the company, however, Tamworth Graphix do own the rights to their brand, and ultimately have the final say over the legality of product endorsements.
If Tamworth Graphix do not wish to profit from the "white supremacy pound", and are throughly disgusted at the BNP's seemingly unofficial endorsement, we strongly advise the company to seek legal advice, if the image of the company is to steer clear of erroneous publicity, and seek removal of the link, forthwith.
The BNP is quick to claim everybody is its friend, when in-fact, like the losers they are, the only friends they have, are in the worldwide "white nationalism" movement.
Their flashy suits, and spin-doctored demeanours might suggest respectability, but no matter how the Hitler-loving bunch of violent criminals, Holocaust deniers, terrorists, football hooligans, and veteran nobodies "blessed with the ugly stick" attempt to "pimp their party", nobody will be fooled.
Not least the intelligent voters of Wales, England, and Scotland.
The United Kingdom has no long-term tradition of organised fascism, which is why Mosley, Enoch Powell, and the National Front were resoundingly defeated. As will the "British Nazi Party". A handful of parochial town hall seats will never make the party a major player in the increasingly cosmopolitan world of popular culture (let alone politics), which is why there are increasingly coded references in Nick Griffin's interviews to civil wars and revolutions.
Like Adolf Hitler, the BNP would switch from democracy to armed revolution, given half a chance, with castrophic consequences, which is why such a criminally-minded racist organisation must be harangued and harried at every juncture.
Which is why bona companies such as Tamworth Graphix must steer clear of fascist endorsement.
Labels:
BNP,
bravado,
Cymru,
endorsements,
lawyers,
Nazis,
Pimp My Ride,
ugly stick,
Wales
Wales Police Boss Replies On BNP Ban
North Wales Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom has replied to a complaint that an invesitgation was made into the case of a police officer who endorsed a local councillor who is a member of the British National Party in Mold.
Mr Brunstrom replied:
"As you have chosen to write an open letter to me it seems only reasonable that I should provide an open response and let members of the public draw their own conclusions.
I cannot discuss the specific case that you raised as the alleged misconduct is still being investigated. However, I welcome the opportunity to comment on the general questions that you put and the inaccurate assertions that your letter contains.
You seem to have wilfully misinterpreted the comments attributed to the Police Federation Representative, Constable Jeff Birch, in the Daily Post on the 12th of April. Constable Birch carefully did not allow himself to be drawn into the specifics of the case being investigated and did not mention the endorsement of candidates. However, he did accurately represent what Police Regulations say about membership of the BNP; to alleviate any doubt about the Regulations let me quote for you the relevant parts.
Police Regulations 2003 Schedule 1 (as amended) provides:
Reg. 1 (1) A member of a police force shall at all times abstain from any activity which is likely to interfere with the impartial discharge of his duties or which is likely to give rise to the impression amongst members of the public that it may so interfere.
1 (2) A member of a police force shall in particular -
(a) not take an active part in politics;
(b) not belong to any organisation specified or described in a determination of the Secretary of State.
Annex AA - (the Secretary of State determined that from 1st January 2005 this provision come into force as follows):
No member of a police force may be a member of any of the following organisations-
(a) The British National Party
(b) Combat 18
(c) The National Front
These Regulations are quite simply the law of the land, as determined by Parliament. All officers are aware that when we join the Police Service our lives change; this change includes our not being able to play an active part in politics (no great hardship for most of us). It is precisely because I want to live in a parliamentary democracy, and not a police state, that I actively welcome this restriction on my private life. As police officers we cannot and must not give the impression that we might be beholden to any political party for that way lies perdition.
As to your suggestion that these restrictions are an infringement of the Human Rights Act of 1998, I suggest that you actually read the Act before making spurious comments such as this in future. For clarity, Article 10 of the European Convention, which is incorporated in our UK Act, sets out the right to freedom of expression, but also makes it clear that this right is not absolute and that such a right may be subject to restrictions as set out below:
Article 10 (2)
The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary
Clearly the Government is fully entitled to put restrictions on the political activity of police officers, members of the armed services and a range of other public servants, and it has chosen, entirely properly, so to do. The message, set out clearly by the Act, is thus: if you want to play politics, don't join the Police. This is once again quite simply the law, and law which I wholeheartedly endorse both as a senior police officer and as a citizen.
You suggest that I may be concerned about being held to account by a BNP led local Council or Welsh Assembly. You are right. I am, but I assure you that I have not yet had cause to lose a moment's sleep worrying about this prospect.
You also write about so called 'positive discrimination advocated by a very misguided Lord Scarman. It would appear that you have never read The Scarman Report: The Brixton Disorders (1981). I can only suggest that you visit your local library and borrow the report before misrepresenting his views again. You may also wish to undertake some training so that you can understand the difference between positive action (both legal and desirable) and positive discrimination, which is neither.
To remove any remaining scintilla of doubt let me formally endorse the views of the Association of Chief Police Officers of England Wales and Northern Ireland, which in July 2004 unequivocally stated that police officers and staff should face dismissal if they join the BNP.
Membership of, or support for, the BNP is completely incompatible with the honour of holding the Office of Constable.
Yours sincerely
Richard Brunstrom
Prif Gwnstabl/Chief Constable
April 20, 2007
Welsh politicians stand up for diversity
Political leaders from across the political divide are to join together to promote tolerance and diversity across Wales.
The leaders of Welsh Labour, Welsh Conservatives, Plaid and the Welsh Liberal Democrats, as well as other parties, will take part in Hope not Hate Sunday, an event organised by anti-facism group Wales Friends of Searchlight.
WFoS have set the date Sunday 22nd April for the event. It comes as a direct response the British National Party’s decision to stand in every regional list seat in the National Assembly elections on 3rd May.
Hope not Hate Sunday will be launched across Wales with political leaders, election candidates and supportive organisations outlining their views on tolerance and progression in Wales. WFoS organisers have called the event: "A unique opportunity for all mainstream political parties and candidates to lay down their arms for a short while and jointly call for a Wales built on tolerance, respect and equality."
Cardiff based Darron Dupre, Secretary of Wales Friends of Searchlight, said: "It says everything about the gut instincts of people in Wales, that all of our mainstream political parties and candidates have embraced this unique and special day to promote hope, not hate. That instinct flies in the face of everything far right parties such as the BNP stand for. Hope not Hate Sunday will be an opportunity for our political parties to say to the people of Wales where they stand on promoting diversity and tolerance."
The day will be completed with Cardiff’s Unite Against Racism Music Festival. This will include a family fun day from 5-8pm with face painting and open mike's, and later performances from bands from every culture across south Wales between 8-2am.
Hope Not Hate Sunday Launch:
South Wales: Outside the Senedd Building in Cardiff Bay, Cardiff at 10.30am
North Wales Launch: Outside Flint Town Hall, Flint at 10.30am
Cardiff Unite Against Racism Music Festival: Callaghan’s, Castle Street, Cardiff. Admission £3. For further information see: http://www.myspace.com/uarcardiff
PinkNews
The leaders of Welsh Labour, Welsh Conservatives, Plaid and the Welsh Liberal Democrats, as well as other parties, will take part in Hope not Hate Sunday, an event organised by anti-facism group Wales Friends of Searchlight.
WFoS have set the date Sunday 22nd April for the event. It comes as a direct response the British National Party’s decision to stand in every regional list seat in the National Assembly elections on 3rd May.
Hope not Hate Sunday will be launched across Wales with political leaders, election candidates and supportive organisations outlining their views on tolerance and progression in Wales. WFoS organisers have called the event: "A unique opportunity for all mainstream political parties and candidates to lay down their arms for a short while and jointly call for a Wales built on tolerance, respect and equality."
Cardiff based Darron Dupre, Secretary of Wales Friends of Searchlight, said: "It says everything about the gut instincts of people in Wales, that all of our mainstream political parties and candidates have embraced this unique and special day to promote hope, not hate. That instinct flies in the face of everything far right parties such as the BNP stand for. Hope not Hate Sunday will be an opportunity for our political parties to say to the people of Wales where they stand on promoting diversity and tolerance."
The day will be completed with Cardiff’s Unite Against Racism Music Festival. This will include a family fun day from 5-8pm with face painting and open mike's, and later performances from bands from every culture across south Wales between 8-2am.
Hope Not Hate Sunday Launch:
South Wales: Outside the Senedd Building in Cardiff Bay, Cardiff at 10.30am
North Wales Launch: Outside Flint Town Hall, Flint at 10.30am
Cardiff Unite Against Racism Music Festival: Callaghan’s, Castle Street, Cardiff. Admission £3. For further information see: http://www.myspace.com/uarcardiff
PinkNews
Labels:
BNP,
far right,
Friends of Searchlight,
Hope not Hate,
Searchlight,
Wales
April 19, 2007
No BNP on the licence fee! - in Wales
• Pull the plug on the BNP Party Political Broadcast in Wales
• Emergency picket outside BBC Wales, 6pm-7pm, Tuesday 24th April
• Complain to broadcasters
Pickett 6-7pm Tuesday 24th April,
BBC Wales Offices,
Broadcasting House,
Llantrisant Rd
Llandaff,
CF5 2YQ
For more information contact Unite Against Fascism on:
07790 022 472 / 07734 032 314
supported by NUJ and BECTU
Please complain to the stations below:
BBC Wales (Broadcasting on BBC Wales 1 and 2 Tuesday 24 April)
08700 100 222 / Textphone: 08700 100 212
online complaint form:
ITV Wales (Broadcasting on Monday 23rd April):
02920 590590 /
Email: dutyoffice@itv.com
S4C (Broadcasting on Tuesday 24th April) :
0870 600 4141 / Textphone: 01766 514410 /
Email: hotline@s4c.co.uk
PULL THE PLUG ON THE BNP STATEMENT
The fascist British National Party (BNP) is fielding 20 candidates for all seats in the 5 regions for Welsh Assembly. It is scheduled to have a party political broadcast on ITV Wales on 23 April 2007 and on BBC Wales 1 and 2 and on S4C on 24 April 2007.
By standing this number of candidates the fascist BNP aims to gain access to public funds, free distribution of election materials and media broadcasts. Such a platform for the BNP will bring its politics of hatred into people's living rooms, encourage division and help them in their aim to legitimise their politics of hatred. Racist attacks increase in areas that the BNP have targeted. The BNP’s broadcast in Scotland featured anti-immigrant racism, in the week that an asylum seeker and her baby were victims of a vicious racist attack and sexual assault in Glasgow. The broadcast also included homophobic messages. We believe it is inappropriate, irresponsible and dangerous for broadcasters to allow the BNP, with its history of racist violence, a party political broadcast.
The BNP's politics "incite racial hatred", which is outlawed by the Public Order Act. The BNP should be barred from such free circulation of material because the right of everyone to live free from such incitement to hatred is fundamental and must be safeguarded.
There is no legal obligation on the television and radio companies to broadcast the views of any political party simply on the grounds it is fielding a certain number of candidates. See examples below of what happened previously; broadcasters can either choose not to show the election broadcast or demand changes to them if they are likely to break the Programme Code.
History shows that fascism threatens the democratic liberties of every person in this country, and particularly those whom the fascists choose to scapegoat: the black and Asian communities, Jewish people, Muslims, lesbian and gay people, those with disabilities, trade unionists, Roma people and many others. In 1999, the bombings in Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho showed where the politics of racism and hatred can lead. We believe all broadcasting channels, particularly those that are publicly funded, have a responsibility to ensure views such as those of the BNP that can incite hatred should not be given uncritical coverage.
There are precedents to pulling the plug on the BNP:
- In 1997, parties needed to stand 50 candidates in the general election for a broadcast. The BNP stood 57 candidates. The broadcasters did not reach a unanimous view of the BNP broadcast and two versions were transmitted; in addition, the BNP was unable to make all the changes required by Channel 4 in the time available, so it was not transmitted by C4.
- In 2004, Channel 5 refused to show BNP film in the form supplied and finally showed a blanked out version of the broadcast. Some changes were also required to be made to the version shown in Scotland. Comprehensive editing was insisted on by S4C for the Welsh language version. The BNP's editing of their Party Election Broadcast for broadcast on S4C rendered most of it incomprehensible.
We invite all those who uphold the principles of equality and oppose the politics of race hate and fascism to call on:
• The BBC and independent television companies not to give uncritical air-time to the racist and fascist views of the British National Party in the course of the elections this year.
• The government to propose an amendment to the Representation of the People Act so that explicitly racist parties cannot have their election literature circulated free of charge.
• The government to strengthen Part 3 of the Public Order Act of 1986 so that prosecutions for incitement to racial hatred will be easier to bring and more likely to succeed.
UAF
• Emergency picket outside BBC Wales, 6pm-7pm, Tuesday 24th April
• Complain to broadcasters
Pickett 6-7pm Tuesday 24th April,
BBC Wales Offices,
Broadcasting House,
Llantrisant Rd
Llandaff,
CF5 2YQ
For more information contact Unite Against Fascism on:
07790 022 472 / 07734 032 314
supported by NUJ and BECTU
Please complain to the stations below:
BBC Wales (Broadcasting on BBC Wales 1 and 2 Tuesday 24 April)
08700 100 222 / Textphone: 08700 100 212
online complaint form:
ITV Wales (Broadcasting on Monday 23rd April):
02920 590590 /
Email: dutyoffice@itv.com
S4C (Broadcasting on Tuesday 24th April) :
0870 600 4141 / Textphone: 01766 514410 /
Email: hotline@s4c.co.uk
PULL THE PLUG ON THE BNP STATEMENT
The fascist British National Party (BNP) is fielding 20 candidates for all seats in the 5 regions for Welsh Assembly. It is scheduled to have a party political broadcast on ITV Wales on 23 April 2007 and on BBC Wales 1 and 2 and on S4C on 24 April 2007.
By standing this number of candidates the fascist BNP aims to gain access to public funds, free distribution of election materials and media broadcasts. Such a platform for the BNP will bring its politics of hatred into people's living rooms, encourage division and help them in their aim to legitimise their politics of hatred. Racist attacks increase in areas that the BNP have targeted. The BNP’s broadcast in Scotland featured anti-immigrant racism, in the week that an asylum seeker and her baby were victims of a vicious racist attack and sexual assault in Glasgow. The broadcast also included homophobic messages. We believe it is inappropriate, irresponsible and dangerous for broadcasters to allow the BNP, with its history of racist violence, a party political broadcast.
The BNP's politics "incite racial hatred", which is outlawed by the Public Order Act. The BNP should be barred from such free circulation of material because the right of everyone to live free from such incitement to hatred is fundamental and must be safeguarded.
There is no legal obligation on the television and radio companies to broadcast the views of any political party simply on the grounds it is fielding a certain number of candidates. See examples below of what happened previously; broadcasters can either choose not to show the election broadcast or demand changes to them if they are likely to break the Programme Code.
History shows that fascism threatens the democratic liberties of every person in this country, and particularly those whom the fascists choose to scapegoat: the black and Asian communities, Jewish people, Muslims, lesbian and gay people, those with disabilities, trade unionists, Roma people and many others. In 1999, the bombings in Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho showed where the politics of racism and hatred can lead. We believe all broadcasting channels, particularly those that are publicly funded, have a responsibility to ensure views such as those of the BNP that can incite hatred should not be given uncritical coverage.
There are precedents to pulling the plug on the BNP:
- In 1997, parties needed to stand 50 candidates in the general election for a broadcast. The BNP stood 57 candidates. The broadcasters did not reach a unanimous view of the BNP broadcast and two versions were transmitted; in addition, the BNP was unable to make all the changes required by Channel 4 in the time available, so it was not transmitted by C4.
- In 2004, Channel 5 refused to show BNP film in the form supplied and finally showed a blanked out version of the broadcast. Some changes were also required to be made to the version shown in Scotland. Comprehensive editing was insisted on by S4C for the Welsh language version. The BNP's editing of their Party Election Broadcast for broadcast on S4C rendered most of it incomprehensible.
We invite all those who uphold the principles of equality and oppose the politics of race hate and fascism to call on:
• The BBC and independent television companies not to give uncritical air-time to the racist and fascist views of the British National Party in the course of the elections this year.
• The government to propose an amendment to the Representation of the People Act so that explicitly racist parties cannot have their election literature circulated free of charge.
• The government to strengthen Part 3 of the Public Order Act of 1986 so that prosecutions for incitement to racial hatred will be easier to bring and more likely to succeed.
UAF
Labels:
anti-immigrant,
BNP,
broadcast,
fascist,
homophobic,
racist,
racist attacks,
UAF,
Wales
April 04, 2007
Welsh Policeman in BNP Fraud Investigation
POLICE have launched an investigation after allegations that an officer nominated a British National Party candidate in a Flintshire by-election.
North Wales Police are investigating after the arrest of BNP Assembly candidate Dallus Weaver, 41, of Mold, on suspicion of committing electoral fraud.
It is claimed the unnamed officer signed Mr Weaver's nomination form for the Flintshire Council by-election in Penyffordd in February.
Police confirmed they were investigating and said it is prohibited under the Police Regulations of 2003 for officers to take any active part in politics to ensure "the integrity of the force".
Mr Weaver, who is also standing as a candidate in next month's Welsh Assembly elections, was arrested at his home at 8.10am yesterday morning and taken to Wrexham Police Station.
While he was being questioned, a crowd of BNP members, including party chairman Nick Griffin, protested outside.
Mr Weaver, who came fifth in the Penyffordd by-election, said he was accused of forging one of the signatures of the 10 people who nominated him for the election, an allegation he denies.
He also claimed that during his interview, police questioned him about the fact a police officer had also nominated him and asked him to sign a witness statement to that effect.
Mr Weaver, who joined the BNP six months ago, dismissed the allegations. Mr Weaver was released without charge at about noon and was bailed to report to Mold Police Station on May 1.
A North Wales Police spokesman said: "We are investigating an alleged offence contrary to section 65A (1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act 2000, namely a false signature in election nomination papers.
"This offence is in relation to the local council elections in Flintshire. "Yesterday, Tuesday, April 3, a man was arrested in relation to this allegation and is currently being questioned about his involvement in the offence. "The returning officer for Flintshire has been notified of the investigation and is supportive of the police investigation."
Evening Leader News (eveningleader.co.uk)
Labels:
BNP,
electoral fraud,
investigation,
Nick Griffin,
Police,
Wales
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.'
icWales
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.'
icWales
Labels:
BNP,
Bridgend UAF,
Nick Griffin,
racist,
Wales,
Welsh Assembly
March 09, 2007
Councillor angry at cash boost for BNP
Swansea councillor Ray Welsby has hit out at rules that allow the British National Party to use hundreds of pounds of taxpayers' cash to fight the Assembly elections.Because the far right group has managed to find four candidates to fight seats in the region, it is entitled to Assembly cash for leaflet drops and other expenses. It will also get a slot on television for a party political broadcast.
Councillor Welsby has been told he will have to fund his own campaign because he is standing on his own as an independent. Councillor Welsby said: "I can't get any funding, but a group like the BNP is getting money for leaflet drops and campaigning from the government. Because I am on my own, the Assembly has said I do not qualify for the money. It is completely unfair. I must pay for myself. The rules should be the same for everyone. Either we all have to pay for ourselves, or we all get money. Otherwise it is not a level playing field."
The Assembly funds groups that can put up at least four candidates in each of Wales's five regional seats on May 3.
Councillor Welsby said: "I think it's terrible, I really do. This group has some very questionable views and they are being funded with taxpayers' money."
BNP leader Nick Griffin is one of four party members who will fight the South Wales West Assembly seat in this summer's elections.
He said the BNP offered an alternative to the big parties in Wales and was hopeful of taking some seats. "I will be in the area campaigning. We simply can't tell how well we will do, but we are hopeful of one or two seats."
This is South Wales
Councillor Welsby has been told he will have to fund his own campaign because he is standing on his own as an independent. Councillor Welsby said: "I can't get any funding, but a group like the BNP is getting money for leaflet drops and campaigning from the government. Because I am on my own, the Assembly has said I do not qualify for the money. It is completely unfair. I must pay for myself. The rules should be the same for everyone. Either we all have to pay for ourselves, or we all get money. Otherwise it is not a level playing field."
The Assembly funds groups that can put up at least four candidates in each of Wales's five regional seats on May 3.
Councillor Welsby said: "I think it's terrible, I really do. This group has some very questionable views and they are being funded with taxpayers' money."
BNP leader Nick Griffin is one of four party members who will fight the South Wales West Assembly seat in this summer's elections.
He said the BNP offered an alternative to the big parties in Wales and was hopeful of taking some seats. "I will be in the area campaigning. We simply can't tell how well we will do, but we are hopeful of one or two seats."
This is South Wales
Labels:
Assembly,
BNP,
funding,
Nick Griffin,
Wales
March 06, 2007
Dinner lady to stand for BNP in may elections
A dinner lady has been selected by the far-right British National Party to fight for the South Wales West seat in the Assembly elections.The move is being seen as an attempt by the party to shed its skin-head image and show it has a broad membership. The dinner lady who will represent the party is Tracy Si'Ree, a mum-of-four.
The party was unable to confirm more details about where she worked or lived yesterday. But it is known she will join fellow BNP candidates for the South Wales West seat, Clive Bennett, and controversial party leader Nick Griffin in the May 3 elections. Mr Bennett is the party's first choice candidate for the seat, which means that Mr Griffin would be unlikely to become an AM unless Mr Bennett was elected, but could not take up his seat for some reason.
Because the BNP will eventually put forward four candidates in each of Wales's five regional seats, it will be entitled to a free party political broadcast on BBC television. It will also get a taxpayer-funded mail-shot to every home. The party's bid to represent the region in the Assembly has been attacked by Plaid candidate Ian Titherington.
He said: "I dread to think how much intimidation they will create within the minority communities of Wales."
But Mr Griffin, who lives in Welsh- pool, said he liked the people of Swansea. "I get on very well with Swansea people and they were looking for people to stand. I live in Wales so I am local, but not as specifically local as others, which is why I am the second name. But I will be in the area campaigning. We simply can't tell how well we will do, but we are hopeful of one or two seats."
This is South Wales
The party was unable to confirm more details about where she worked or lived yesterday. But it is known she will join fellow BNP candidates for the South Wales West seat, Clive Bennett, and controversial party leader Nick Griffin in the May 3 elections. Mr Bennett is the party's first choice candidate for the seat, which means that Mr Griffin would be unlikely to become an AM unless Mr Bennett was elected, but could not take up his seat for some reason.
Because the BNP will eventually put forward four candidates in each of Wales's five regional seats, it will be entitled to a free party political broadcast on BBC television. It will also get a taxpayer-funded mail-shot to every home. The party's bid to represent the region in the Assembly has been attacked by Plaid candidate Ian Titherington.
He said: "I dread to think how much intimidation they will create within the minority communities of Wales."
But Mr Griffin, who lives in Welsh- pool, said he liked the people of Swansea. "I get on very well with Swansea people and they were looking for people to stand. I live in Wales so I am local, but not as specifically local as others, which is why I am the second name. But I will be in the area campaigning. We simply can't tell how well we will do, but we are hopeful of one or two seats."
This is South Wales
Labels:
Assembly,
BNP,
Clive Bennett,
minority,
Nick Griffin,
Plaid,
Tracy Si'ree,
Wales
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