BNP is told ‘take poison elsewhere’

| Saturday, 18 June 2005 Source: Cambridge Evening News

ACTIVISTS from the British National Party are targeting an Ely estate and Fenland village – to the disgust of MPs.

Sutton has been hit by a mass leafleting campaign and the High Barns estate in Ely will be targeted in the next two weeks as the far right party looks for support to fight for a seat on East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC).

But Jim Paice, South East Cambridgeshire MP, whose constituency includes Ely, said: "They should take their poison somewhere else. The people of Ely are far too sensible to get carried away with such ideas.

"More fool the BNP for wasting time and money."

Malcolm Moss, MP for North East Cambridgeshire, which includes Sutton, said: "I'm very surprised they are targeting Sutton.

"I cannot imagine anyone would be interested."

Councillor Philip Read, Conservative ECDC member for Sutton, urged voters to "steer clear" of the BNP.

He said: "There are plenty of other parties who could represent you better. There is no room for views like these. Everyone should get on with everyone else."

But Paul Ison, area organiser for the BNP, said his party had received a "large response" in Sutton during the recent elections, with eight or nine inquiries, though none translated into votes.

Mr Ison, 32, who lives near Newmarket, said the BNP had 11 members in Ely.

He said: "This isn't bad for us and if we get a few more members from this campaign we will put up a councillor to cover the High Barns estate."

The BNP also wants to set up a trade register for paid-up members of the party.

Mr Ison said: "The idea is one Nationalist will not overcharge a fellow Nationalist and will do a good job and it is also assumed work will be given priority over work from non-Nationalists."

It is suggested 1.5 per cent of fees earned from such trade will be donated to local BNP funds.

But Mr Moss said: "The concept is totally alien to the average constituent and I don't think it will take off at all – they are whistling in the wind."

Mr Paice said: "I can't imagine they will drum up much business."