Anti-BNP action drive hits town

| Thursday, 25 October 2007 Source: Barking and Dagenham Recorder

AN ANTI-British National Party campaign hit Dagenham on Saturday as the Labour movement attempted to woo voters away from their far right rivals.

Labour councillors and London Young Labour members hit the streets of Valence, Whalebone and Goresbrook wards to distribute leaflets and knock on doors in a concerted effort to oust the BNP from the borough.

London Young Labour anti-racism officer Samuel Tarry said about 30 people took part in the offensive.

"On the whole people [approached] are quite positive. We were telling them what local councillors have been doing for the area. For example, in Valence, close work between the police team and local councillors has seen crime go down 19 per cent.

"People see that they can vote for BNP councillors but they're not the controlling party on the Barking and Dagenham Council, so obviously they can't get things done.

"People are starting to recognise their ineffectiveness."

Barking and Dagenham police did not add extra patrols during Saturday's event after being assured by organisers it would be a peaceful drive.

With the May 2008 Greater London Assembly elections looming, campaigners are hoping to prevent the BNP from making gains in the borough.