All stitched up

posted by: Nick Lowles | on: Monday, 19 July 2010, 10:17

I’ve just been reading the statements from the four candidates standing for the BNP leadership. It is clear that the whole affair is being stitched up from the outset. The four candidates are Nick Griffin, Eddy Butler, Richard Barnbrook and Manchester organiser Derek Adams.

Adams seems more concerned with smearing Eddy Butler than winning himself. Comments like “if you feel that change is indeed needed” hardly gives the impression of someone who wants to win, whereas condemning Butler for “working with supporters who spread lies and black propaganda” gives a clear indication that Adams is standing as a spoiler candidate.

Barnbrook is standing to be a temporary leader until new elections are called. Whatever that means! It certainly will not create the “stability and unity” he claims to want. He hardly sells himself by opening up with the line that he is “dyslexic and partial to the occasional drink”. Hmmm

Griffin’s statement is interesting as it seems to refer directly to what is in Eddy Butler’s 150 words. Surely Griffin hasn’t read Butler’s statement before writing his own! He ends with an attack on “futile, time-wasting elections”. Griffin was never one for democracy.

It is clear that the BNP leadership has no intention of allowing Butler to win. Party critics are being suspended around the country, dirty tricks and smears are being employed and leadership candidates are being stood who seem more interested in attacking Griffin’s rivals than selling themselves. Of course, all this only comes into play if Butler gets the necessary nominations, a process which has been deliberately designed to make any challenge almost impossible.

No wonder so many disgruntled BNP members are walking away from the party in the belief that it can never be reformed.