Press Release: Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Trades Union Council opposes BNP conference in Blackpool

| Wednesday, 1 November 2006 Source: Blackpool, Fyle and Wyre TUC

Delegates to Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Trades Union Council, drawn from trades unions in Blackpool and the surrounding districts, met on 31 October 2006 and unanimously opposed the British National Party's plans to hold a conference in Blackpool. Everyone present resolved to work with the national and regional trade union organisations to campaign against the BNP and other racist, homophobic and fascist organisations.

After the meeting, the Senior Vice-President, Andrew Wheatley, said:

"The BNP wants us to think that is now a respectable party. Their record indicates otherwise. Currently, two BNP members from Nelson, including Robert Cottage who was a BNP candidate in last May's local elections, are remanded in custody on charges of possessing chemical substances in contravention of the Explosive Substances Act. We must not forget that the party's former Organiser, Tony Lecomber, was convicted of using a nail bomb to attack the BNP's opponents. Another sometime BNP member, the London nailbomber David Copeland, killed three people and injured several others in London's Admiral Duncan pub.

"The BNP also wants us to think they are democratic. However, a BNP candidate from Burnley, Steve Smith, was imprisoned in 2002 for forging signatures on election nomination forms. The BNP has no regard for democracy and it's a pity some people are still defending the BNP's 'democratic right' to hold meetings in our town.

"We are pleased that a considerable number of hotel and club owners have already said that they will not, under any circumstances, permit the BNP to use their premises for this or any other event. Anyone else tempted to take the BNP's money should consider the type of people they would be letting onto their premises, and the likely damage to their own reputation and that of the town."