Leaders aim to stop BNP

The Star by Sarah Dunn | Thursday, 7 May 2009 | Click here for original article

MORE than 70 religious leaders representing different faiths who live together in South Yorkshire are making a public declaration urging people to use their vote to defeat extremists like the British National Party.

Some of the 74 signatories will come together on the steps of Sheffield Town Hall next week to sign the document, which promotes values of unity, tolerance and respect, whilst condemning groups which stir up racial hate. The move has been organised ahead of the European elections in a bid to encourage people to use their vote against the BNP.

The leaders are worried the far-right group will exploit the insecurities of the current economic crisis to gain votes, while voting apathy could let them in by the back door.

The Rt Rev John Rawsthorne, Catholic Bishop of Hallam, said: "The BNP's claim to speak for Christians in Britain couldn't be further from the truth."

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