A flying visit up north

posted by: Nick Lowles | on: Friday, 9 January 2009, 23:24

I’m writing this on the train travelling back to London after a flying visit to the North West. After a quick meeting with Frank Hont, regional secretary of Unison, I made my way over to Tameside for a discussion about a forthcoming council by-election in Hyde Newton ward. Last May the BNP polled 28% in the ward and coming only a few months before the European Elections this is going to be a really crucial contest. It is a traditionally strong Labour seat but given the economic downturn and the fact that the BNP will throw regional if not national resources into the ward it is going to be a hard fight. However, the mood in the meeting I attended was determined and I’m confident that we will more than match the BNP for enthusiasm and commitment.

I have to admit that Tameside is somewhere I really don’t know. Over the years I have got to know Oldham well but this was my first trip to Ashton-under-Lyne. I was particularly pleased to see the renovated indoor market, much of which had to be rebuilt after a fire destroyed much of the original building, though I was too late to pop inside. Given the extent of the fire it is amazing that they have managed to use the original walls.

One interesting point about the by-election is that the BNP is changing candidates. Over the last few years local organiser Nigel Byrne has been the candidate but this time he has been replaced by Rosalind Gauci. Perhaps the BNP think she is a better candidate or perhaps this reflects the continuing rift within the local branch between Byrne and Anthony and Beverley Jones. While Beverley Jones was expelled from the BNP along with the party rebels early last year her husband, Anthony, has stayed in despite a serious rift with Byrne. The fact that Anthony Jones is Gauci’s agent, and indeed the Chairman of Tameside BNP, might suggest where the power currently lies within the local branch.

Whatever the internal differences within the BNP this is going to be a hard battle and one that I will be reporting on regularly over the next few weeks. I’m confident that we can keep the BNP at bay but it is going to be a hard fight and so if you live in the Greater Manchester area please do get involved.