BNP beaten back in west Yorkshire by-election

posted by: Nick Lowles | on: Friday, 22 January 2010, 14:35

The BNP had a disappointing result in the Airedale & Ferry Fryston by-election yesterday.

The battle in this ward in Castleford proved symbolic, with Labour trying to maintain control of Wakefield council and the BNP hoping to gain its first seat in the district.

Hope Not Hate Yorkshire ran a community-based campaign, working with local residents and organisations. Despite significant economic and social problems in the ward, which the BNP will always try to exploit, community networks are helping to build trust and collectively solve problems. Local church leaders were keen to condemn the BNP, and two community activists were prominent in a Hope Not Hate leaflet that was delivered in the ward. Our activist base in Wakefield district has grown through this campaign.

Having come second in the last two local elections in Airedale & Ferry Fryston, this time the BNP was beaten back into third place and the number of votes it received almost halved. The BNP candidate came in 977 votes behind the newly elected Labour councillor Les Shaw.

Thanks go to all the activists and unions that supported this campaign, and particularly the residents and workers of Airedale & Ferry Fryston who came together to reject the BNP.

Result:
Labour 1,330
Liberal Democrat 603
BNP 353
Conservative 275
Independent 102