A second senior figure has raised the prospect of the BNP securing seats on the London Assembly at next year’s GLA elections.
Labour Assembly Member Murad Qureshi has issued a “call to arms to London’s voters” warning that the party were just 0.1% away from winning a seat in the 2004 elections.
The comments come just days after Conservative Mayoral Candidate Boris Johnsonn Early Day Motion in the House of Comomons raising the prospect of the BNP securing two seats in May.
According to Mr Qureshi the BNP’s vote “was highest in areas where the UK Independence Party (UKIP) was also popular.” A statement issued by the AM says “with no Euro elections this time round, there are fears that as many as 20% of UKIP voters could switch to the BNP.”
A spokesman for the One London Party said: “The two seats won by UKIP (now belonging to the One London Party) were won on the back of huge media coverage of Robert Kilroy Silk and the coincidence of the Euro and GLA elections on the same day in 2004. There is little chance that any of those anti-EU votes would transfer to the BNP, unless of course Murad intends to pursue a strategy of promoting the BNP in his press releases.”
“Although our anti-EU stance lies at the core of our free-market, small government philosophy, we do not expect that it will play a significant part in the 2008 election. We will be campaigning on Crime, Transport and Council tax. Those are the issues that matter to Londoners over which the GLA has a remit.”
Praising the capital for being “probably the most tolerant, diverse city in the world” Mr Qureshi said “the only way we can continue this proud tradition and defend our city from the despicable BNP is at the ballot box in May 2008.”
When asked by MayorWatch whether such appeals played into the hands of the BNP by generating them further publicity Qureshi said: “It’s no good burying our heads in the sand and hoping no one will notice them. We have to confront their offensive views head-on and emphasise that with margins this tight every right-thinking Londoner has to turn out vote. And vote for anyone but them.”
Related Link: The Need To Respect Democracy
James says
“Praising the capital for being “probably the most tolerant, diverse city in the world” Mr Qureshi said “the only way we can continue this proud tradition and defend our city from the despicable BNP is at the ballot box in May 2008.””
The only way? Last time they simply raised the percentage of votes required to obtain a seat. Presumably they’ll resort to wholly undemocratic tactics again this time around in the name of ‘democracy’. I wonder if Qureshi would like it if his ethnic homeland suddenly became the most ‘diverse’ in the world.
What does Qureshi mean by “our city”? Is he implying it doesn’t belong to BNP supporters?
“When asked by MayorWatch whether such appeals played into the hands of the BNP by generating them further publicity…”
So what if it generates publicity for the BNP? Since when does the media decide what information the public should or should not be exposed to.
Martin (Editor) says
James:
>> Since when does the media decide what information the public should or should not be exposed to. << You seem to be deliberately misunderstanding the point of that section of the article. And, had the BNP's press office responded to the email we sent them, they could have had the same exposure in the article that One London Party and Mr Qureshi had.
Vinnie says
Why is there no profile of the BNP’S prospective candidate….. Just wondering???????
Martin (Editor) says
Vinnie – simply because we’ve not heard from their press team yet. If and when e do their candidate will be covered just like every other candidate.
blighty says
dear mr Qureshi
Silly me I thought a democratic election
meant, that (all) could stand for a seat, not just who you like,
correct me if Iam wrong,thats what dictatorships are good at (innit)
and their in lies the problem, English
Londoners have had such a bad deal over the past 40 years they are now a minority in there own city if we keep voting for the usual suspects there will be no one left, good luck I liked it so much I moved to Torquay.and its lovely
John Russell says
How revealing it is that “opponents” of the BNP rant about ‘banning’ it, and are incapable of discussing the issues. Personally, I find socialism bonkers, and liberalism has me reaching for the sick-bag. But I try to respect people holding these views, which are as deeply held as my own. What are you opponents so scared of? You should trust the people to hold a variety of views, and balance things out. For example a local by-election last week balanced out Labour winning 6% of the vote, while the BNP polled 16%, in a council seat won by the Conservatives. This type of result with national variations might reverse many of the excesses of immigration forced on this poor blighted country in the last 40 years, without the consent of the people. Oh of course, I forgot;you people aren’t democrats are you? Still try not to lie awake worrying
-the BNP is far too big for you to “stop”.Polling approx 17% as it now is, we’d welcome the coverage of this incompetent shower of a Govt trying to blunder their way into that little minefield. Happy days.