Concern over BNP's Blackpool parade

EXTRA police will be drafted in to prevent trouble flaring at the BNP's Blackpool victory rally.

The controversial far right party is heading to The New Kimberley Hotel on Saturday to celebrate winning two seats in the recent European Parliament elections.

Anti-fascist groups today predicted at least 500 campaigners would join a protest outside the New South Promenade hotel.

The BNP event – which includes an afternoon of political speeches and an evening of live entertainment – coincides with the start of National Veterans' Week when thousands of current and ex-servicemen and women will be in the resort.

Council leaders said everything must be done to make sure the rally and protest, organised by Lancashire-based Unite Against Fascism (UAF), did not impact on the veterans' commemorations.

BNP leader Nick Griffin was pelted by eggs when he tried to hold a press conference last week.

Although UAF leaders said the Blackpool protest would be "peaceful" police are taking no chances and confirmed they will be increasing patrols around the hotel.

Chief Insp Karen Simister, from Blackpool Police, said: "An operation focused on ensuring the safety of the public has been put in place to ensure the event and associated protests pass without incident.

"While respecting the right to lawful protest, we will be seeking to minimise any disruption to the wider public."

Jain Gaune, Blackpool and Fleetwood co-ordinator of Unite Against Fascism (UAF), said: "Since the Euro election lots of youngsters have joined the cause. We had around 500 in Manchester last week when Nick Griffin (BNP leader) turned up for a press conference.

"We're confident of the same amount turning up in Blackpool."

Opposition to the BNP rally – dubbed by Mr Griffin as "a truly awesome event" – has come from all sections of the political divide, but leaders have called for calm ahead of the planned demonstrations.

Blackpool Council leader Peter Callow said: "Opposed as I am to the view of this party you cannot deny they have been elected in the proper manner. The best thing to do is ignore the fact they are here, but these protesters are giving the BNP the oxygen they need.

"I would urge the police to do all they can to avoid a confrontation between the BNP, the demonstrators and the veterans in Blackpool."

This month's Euro elections saw 10 per cent of those polled in Blackpool voting for the BNP.

This weekend's rally will be the fourth time the party has held an event at the New Kimberley, the site of the BNP's annual summer conference.

Alan Reed, manager at the nearby Warwick Hotel on New South Promenade, said: "In the past it's been kept fairly low key.

"You hear some shouting and a bit of chanting, but most of our guests don't even notice it's going on."

Steve Pyatt, owner of the neighbouring Waldorf Hotel, added: "I believe in freedom of speech. What concerns me is when people are against freedom of speech."

"But who is paying for the policing? If football clubs have to pay when there's a big game on then political parties should have to when they hold an even

BNP organisers and management at the New Kimberley were unavailable for comment.

Blackpool Gazette
17 June 2009

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