Organising for the future

posted by: Nick Lowles | on: Monday, 22 June 2009, 08:39

On Saturday I addressed a meeting of 65 local anti-BNP organisers and activists in the North West. Given that we had only sent out 400 invites it was a great turnout and reflects the anger at Nick Griffin’s election and the determination to continue our campaign. What was particularly pleasing was that I did not know a third of those there and eight came forward to set up local groups in their area.

We had a good and open discussion about why the BNP was elected and there was a recognition that our campaign was as good as we could have run, but that we were let down by the political parties.

We broke into smaller groups for the second half of the morning to discuss what positive activities we could organise in our local areas over the next few months. There was also a general agreement that we had to move our focus away from town and city centre events and prioritise working in the communities where the BNP was making headway. It was agreed to establish a steering group to help co-ordinate activities across the region and spread good practice.

We have been working hard in the North West for several years now and it was pleasing to see some experienced old hands working together with keen new activists. The BNP might have sneaked in but we have a good network of groups across the region who are determined to build on what was a great campaign.