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MSP in call for political unity against BNP

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Published Date: 10 June 2009
LOTHIANS SNP MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville has called for united action from across the political spectrum to ensure the BNP does not gain a foothold in Scotland.
And her call has already won backing from MSPs from other parties and SNP colleagues.

Ms Somerville said the BNP winning two seats in England in the European elections should be a wake-up call to all politicians. "It can't be dismissed as simply a protest vote," she said.

She said all parties had a responsibility to tackle the issue, no matter how well they had done in the election. "We must also take every opportunity to expose the BNP for the racists that they are," she added.

"Thankfully, their vote was still low in Edinburgh at 1.6 per cent. I also take heart that they couldn't find a candidate for the recent Forth by-election. Yet we must not be complacent."

Malcolm Chisholm, Labour MSP for Edinburgh North & Leith, Lothians Labour MSP George Foulkes and Lothians Green MSP Robin Harper are among those backing a motion on the BNP tabled by Ms Somerville in the Scottish Parliament.



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  • Last Updated: 10 June 2009 9:59 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Far Right in the UK
 
1

Silence of the Yams,

10/06/2009 11:57:54
yeah, no wonder the left are scared. 70% of the British public (i.e 90% of whites) agree with all the bnp's policies. Only mass media scare mongering are stopping a massive swing to them.
2

Huntly loon,

10/06/2009 12:16:48
Calling for political unity against the BNP is not the answer. The political establishment needs to tackle the causes of why so many - largely in northern England - turned to the BNP. It is only in desperation that voters turn to these extreme options, but I would guess that the alienation of the urban white working class male is at the root of it, which political correctness and multiculturalism has left behind.

Unfortunately they are now the section of the community who have fallen to the bottom of the pile, and are disadvantaged in respect of education and career opportunities, and now feel worthless, powerless and voiceless. The BNP has filled that vacuum.
3

Silence of the Yams,

10/06/2009 12:23:44
#3. Vast over simplification, as was demonstrated when leftist activists recently published the bnp's membership: All walks of life.
4

Shaggy B,

Edinburgh 10/06/2009 12:42:08
#2: I sincerely hope that your figure of 70% of the British public, or indeed any whatsoever, will not agree with policies like:

"We would repeal the Race Relations Acts and all other restrictions on free speech in Britain." "We would abolish all departments, agencies, or other units of government whose sole and specific purpose is to deal with ethnic issues, grievances, or crimes." "We would abolish all laws against racial discrimination in employment and the government bodies associated with enforcing them."

and with such delightful quotes from BNP figures as:

"Very few people in Britain are aware of the huge influence over the mass media exercised by a certain ethnic minority, namely the Jews." (Nick Griffin)

"There's not a European country the Jews haven't been thrown out of. When it happens that many times, it's not just persecution. THERE'S NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE." (Mark Collett)

"Churchill was a f***ing c*** who led us into a pointless war with other whites standing up for their race." (Mark Collett)

"All black people will be repatriated, even if they were born here." (Nick Griffin)

Sure no-one can disagree that ideas like these are completely abhorrent? The British public needs to be better informed about the BNP, beyond the (very) slightly cleaner public façade.
5

Ron D,

Enybru 10/06/2009 13:11:40
Instead of negative campaigning how about trying to address the issues?
6

Yeah1,

10/06/2009 13:18:34
#2

"70% of the British public (i.e 90% of whites) agree with all the bnp's policies"

Where on earth did you get such a ridiculous figure from?

You are clearly living in some kind of racist fantasy world if you think 90% of white people in Britain agree with all or indeed any of the BNP's policies.
7

Ecto,

10/06/2009 13:26:53
Finally the European Election results are creating some debate on a key issue for the working classes in this country. The main stream political parties are not representing the majority. Whilst the middle classes are unaffected by mass immigration from Eastern Europe if you are an out of work painter or builder surely you must accept that it grates that the country is full of Eatern Europeans who are taking their jobs. Nick Griffin's point on the media is also factual and easily proven.
8

Ecto,

10/06/2009 13:30:07
Shirley Ann Sommerville should be looking at the reasons people have voted for the BNP rather than erroneously focusing her attention against them.
9

,

10/06/2009 13:32:45
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
10

Ecto,

10/06/2009 13:54:56
#10 just because people have a different view to yours does not neccessarily make them stupid!
11

The Tin Man,

10/06/2009 14:35:07
"We must also take every opportunity to expose the BNP for the racists that they are,"

Erm... wouldn't that be the reason that people vote for the BNP in the first place?
12

Pantaloon,

10/06/2009 14:38:06

Whilst I abhor the hatred and division that the BNP stands for, I feel that their election has had the positive effect of highlighting the strength of feeling in the UK regarding our open borders and complete inability to control or vet the flow of people who turn up at our ports and immigration centres.

People who are genuinely escaping persecution and danger in their home land should be protected by us, but the chancers who come here for a free ride to an easier life should be made to pay their way or be sent packing home again. If someone passes through all the safe countries in Europe to get to the UK, an island nation, in order to seek 'safety' and refuge, then there is either something wrong with all the countries they pass through to get here, or something more attractive about the UK. And we all know what the answer is!

If other parties wish to alienate the BNP and increase their own popularity they would do well to steal some of the more reasonable policies from the BNP, get tough on immigration and EU intervention in home affairs matters and start making the UK good again.
13

Nevsky;,

Moscow 10/06/2009 15:14:05
We all know in Scotland that England leans to the right.

Most English people (whether they speak it or not) have a real gripe about immigrants and cities like Bradford and Birmingham...which is fair enough as once you have seen them you don't easily forget them (and some of them are a real mess).

The upper classes spurn any talk of racism..yet not many apart from a token Pakistani or two are Lords....the middle classes 'chatter' about it and 'tut tut' when they pass through 'unsavoury' neighbourhoods....the 'chavs' carve Union Flags on their arms and detest anyone who is not the of their colour!

Welcome to England...and to the Union..


14

Nevsky;,

Moscow 10/06/2009 15:18:14
What they don't seem to understand is that the more people who vote for the BNP the more alienated immigrants become...that is the disgrace..and so grow the enclaves...disgraceful...and not what and Scot (i believe) stands for!

1 million in England voted for the BNP....moderate country...really?
15

alanh,

ek 10/06/2009 15:46:57
what the stupid politicians dont seem to get is that "unifying" against the BNP is not the way to go and will only give them more cover for their views.
Debate with them and EXPOSE their lies and policies not what they THINK is their policies
16

MoiraMac,

10/06/2009 18:26:40
"We must also take every opportunity to expose the BNP for the racists that they are,"

Shirley-Anne! I think the one thing everybody knows about the BNP is that they are 'racist'. Perhaps that is why people vote for them!

Get rid of all the political correctness/censorship and you might find out what percentage of the population are so called 'racists' and why racists are on the increase.

You might also find out why the 'racists' are not voting SNP!


Yeah1,
How the **** would you know what 90% of people in the UK think?
17

me150,

10/06/2009 18:53:41
Although I don't want the BNP gaining popularity they have the right o campaign for seats and win them if the public want them.

The other parties would do better to make them more appealing to possible BNP voters rather than ganging up against them as this will only make borderline BNP supporters come out and vote for them.
18

me150,

10/06/2009 18:55:45
better to make them more appealing

should read 'themselves'
19

Jimbo2,

10/06/2009 19:06:44
Credit where it's due...

New Labour, take a bow for creating the surge in support the BNP are now realising.

According to YouGov, the rise in support for the BNP is all due to disenchanted New Labour supporters.
20

Iainbroch,

10/06/2009 21:25:30
It is not just the BNP that we need to watch - it is the Mainstream Brit Parties who will wheel out a range of authoritarian right wing policies in the near future and in the run up to any General Election. They will always opt for appeasement first till they realise they have a fight for thier survival on thier hands!
Broonie with his team GB mentality is at his core an appeaser to right wing sentiments in England. No matter how much he tries to appease them they will just never vote for him. His approach will only allow the Tories to go into next election with even more extreme right wing policies thatn Broonie and what is worse they will then have a mandate to implement them.

Griffen will get much of his agenda on the statute book whether any BNP candidates get elected or not at General Election.
21

brianmca3,

auld reekie 10/06/2009 22:29:50
the BNP didnt have a candicate in the forth by election as it was 2 for the price of one ie winner cammy day has a BNP supporter at home
see link and read
http://www.edinburghsucks.com/categories/bnp/
22

brianmca3,

auld reekie 10/06/2009 22:30:49
or the nice pic of herr broon,jah,
http://www.edinburghsucks.com/2009/06/08/edinburgh-labours-silver-lining/
23

donald,

glasgow 11/06/2009 04:05:21
Can't break eggs without making a fascist.
24

Iain Mac,

11/06/2009 08:42:28
#24- true

All the bnp need is a good lumber. It'll keep them from prison too.
25

Calum Crubag,

11/06/2009 20:05:55
#26 - i think we should hang those bnp members like yon nailbomber and other morons involved in violent crime. Racist? How about Bnp members pictured in Nazi uniforms and white power t-shirts. Scum. To think millions died fighting these kind of wnkrs.
26

Calum Crubag,

11/06/2009 20:17:22
Interesting internal Bnp document showing who they are - and not even united either! Nazi freaks, Gaddaffi and IRA supporters, nail bombers, Cambridge toffs... who TF wants to vote for these freaks?

http://www.spearhead.com/0405-jt3.html

And child-killers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVhp9iQoiss&feature=related

 

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