BNP head to Blackpool for "victory rally"

THE British National Party is to hold a "victory rally" in Blackpool this weekend.

Letters sent to supporters of the reviled far right group - which controversially won two seats at this month's Euro elections - promise "a truly awesome event" at the New Kimberley Hotel on New South Promenade.

The hotel has previously been the base for the BNP's summer conference –sparking outrage from local residents, politicians and anti-fascist campaigners.

Protest group Unite Against Fascism is already planning to campaign outside the New Kimberley ahead of this Saturday's event.

A statement on its website said: "Anti-fascists will be protesting outside the BNP 'summer school' due to be held at the Kimberley Hotel from noon."

While opponents today presented a united "we don't want you here" message, BNP leader Nick Griffin promised the Blackpool event was "not one to miss".

He said: "Due to circumstances out of our control we will be substituting this weekend's summer school with a victory rally and celebration to mark the climax of the most important electoral breakthrough in the history of British Nationalism."

The "celebration" includes music and food, comedian Frank Waller, "BNP super star Joey Smith" and Karaoke and disco.

Fylde-based BNP officials today claimed the resort was becoming a stronghold for the party.

Organiser for Blackpool, Roy Goodwin said: "Things are changing in Blackpool. When I stood for MP in 2004, we got three per cent of the vote. In the latest (Euro) elections we got 10 per cent."
And he said: "We will definitely be holding our next annual conference in Blackpool."

In the Euro elections 3,523 Blackpool residents people voted for the BNP, 10,306 for the Tories, 6,961 for Labour and 3,523 for UKIP. Liberal Democrats polled 3,067 votes.

Added to votes from across the North West, and under the proportional representation system, BNP leader Nick Griffin won one of the region's five European Parliament.

The BNP's warning they would return to Blackpool today sparked outrage among leaders of the mainstream political groups.

Ivan Taylor, Blackpool Council's Labour Group leader, said: "The BNP are an odious racial group, and their policies are repugnant.

"My message is this – we don't want you here. I would urge hotels and voters in the area to research their policies fully, and not to let them hold their conference here.

"We don't want to attract the party to Blackpool. People need to understand that although there are problems that need solutions, the simple solutions offered by the BNP are not all they seem. It is really bad news the party secured 10 per cent of the vote in Blackpool, and we will do everything we can to stop them expanding."

And Ian Fowler, deputy leader of the council, said: "Of course it's bad news, but they are a legally elected party.

"I don't know the reasons why the BNP's vote has increased here, and I have major reservations about their policies.

"Of course it's not a good thing they are holding their conference here again, both this administration and the previous one have not welcomed them in the town."

Blackpool Gazette
16 June 2009