Don’t vote for BNP, Church leaders urge

William Green, Political Correspondent | Thursday, 20 April 2006 Source: Yorkshire Post

YORKSHIRE church leaders are urging voters to reject the British National Party at the upcoming local elections over fears the far Right group will damage community relations.

The Bishops of Wakefield and Pontefract have called on residents to defeat the BNP at the ballot box on May 4, which comes in the wake of recent research that said a fifth of voters in England would consider backing the party.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation Reform Trust report warned the BNP was capitalising on disillusionment with mainstream political parties in white working-class areas over issues such as housing, jobs and immigration.

Bishop of Wakefield Stephen Platten said: "We are proud of our democracy in the United Kingdom.

"It is important that people use their vote, especially when the British National Party whose policies are trying to cause disharmony in our communities are standing in many areas.

"We do not want to give them any opportunity to gain seats and influence."

Tony Robinson, Bishop of Pontefract, also hit out at the BNP's claim of support of an organisation called the Christian Council of Britain.

It has been widely condemned as a BNP front organisation said to have prominent BNP activists on its ruling council.

The party is apparently trying to justify some of its policies through the support of a group claiming to speak for Christians in this country.

He added: "We distance the mainstream churches from the self-named Christian Council of Britain and its unacceptable interpretations of biblical texts to support BNP policies.

"We do not recognise the attempts by the BNP to promote themselves as a party upholding Christian values.

"Jesus gave a very specific task to his followers that they should 'Love your neighbour as much as you love yourself'.

"The churches in West Yorkshire are working hard with other faith communities to contribute positively to building bridges and better understanding in our communities.

"Any attempts to undo this work must be resisted. Please use your vote on May 4 and send a firm message to the BNP."