BNP stands in Jewish heartland

| Thursday, 13 May 2004 Source: Jewish Telegraph

A BRITISH National Party candidate is standing for election against five Jews in the heart of the Jewish community at next month's local andEuropean elections.

Peter Maverick will contest the Alwoodley ward against councillors Ronnie and Ruth Feldman (Conservative), Councillor Jonathon Brown and Judith Chapman (Liberal Democrat) and Leonard Fineberg (Labour).

Apart from in the North Leeds ward, other Jewish candidates facing BNP opposition are Councillor Brian Selby and Sadie Fisher (Killingbeck Seacroft); Alex Sobel (Horsforth); Trudy Goldberg, Ben and Harriet Chapman (Morley North) and Dorothy Harris, Rochelle Harris and Jack Coplin (Morley South).

Across Yorkshire, the BNP announced that it was fielding 101 candidates - twice last year's figure.

The biggest rise is in Leeds where 23 candidates are standing, compared to eight last year.

Although the BNP is competing for less than a quarter of the 99 Leeds seats available and has insufficient candidates to take control of any of the five district councils, Jewish candidates are united in believing that the community must vote in the forthcoming elections.

The leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, Councillor Mark Harris, said:''I have no intention of pulling my punches - the BNP pedigree is that of a fascist party.

''They openly associate with all the European far-right parties and make no apology for it.

''They may say that they are the defenders of the British people but the reality is the very opposite.

''They sew the seeds of hatred and division, preying on the fears ofpeople. They mislead with the most appalling lies and misinformation.''

He added: ''As Jews we know what happens when religious and ethnic intolerance takes hold and we have a duty to stand up to these people.

''In a free democracy we have to use the ballot box to send these people packing and make it absolutely clear that there is no place for them in Leeds or the country as a whole.''

Councillor Jonathon Brown (Liberal Democrat) said: ''My father, Rabbi Brown, and his generation lived through the tragedy of the Holocaust in mainland Europe while Leeds and Britain provided a safe haven for those Jews who managed to get out.

''The thought that fascists could now be elected in 2004 is an affront to all decent people and especially those who fought to protect this country from the Nazis.

''As a community we must use our votes to stop the BNP in their tracks to make sure that the sacrifices of my father's generation were not in vain.''

Councillor Ronnie Feldman (Conservative) said: ''Whatever the Jewish community's views may be on European politics, it is vitally important for everyone to vote for one of the democratic parties standing in this year's elections.

''Surely we in Alwoodley do not want to be represented by someone who represents a party that rejects the Holocaust and brings over as a supporter Jean-Marie Le Pen.''

Councillor Brian Selby (Labour) said: ''In parts of West Yorkshire, on low election turnouts the BNP have been successful in gaining representation on local councils.

''They are hoping that few people vote in this year's elections so that they can sneak in and win more seats.

''The BNP have changed their tactics and are attempting to show that they are a reasonable, mainstream political party. The reality is otherwise.

''In Yorkshire fewer than 20 per cent voted in the last European election. If the BNP obtain 15 per cent of the total vote, there is a strong likelihood that they would gain a seat in the European Parliament.

''Therefore, it is extremely important that the Jewish community in Yorkshire uses their vote to see that this does not happen.''

He added: ''MEPs are elected by proportional representation so people must not think that their vote does not count in their area. In this election it will do so.

''Apathy and complacency by the community in this election could result in a member of the BNP representing the community in Europe.

''The BNP hope to win seats in certain parts of Leeds. It would be at tragedy for the city if they were to elect a BNP councillor.

''In these elections we all have a postal vote by May 28. I urge all members of the community to use their vote and encourage their friends, neighbours and work colleagues to vote so that on a high turnout this threat is defeated.''

Other party leaders added their voices to the debate.

The leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Keith Wakefield, said: ''Despite the fact that there are 23 British National Party candidates standing in Leeds, I am confident that the enlightened electorate will put no stock in such extremist and potentially dangerous views.

''As could be seen by the violence which accompanied Jean-Marie le Pen's visit to the North-West recently, their opinions and policies which are based on aggression and fear have no place in a modern, forward-thinking city like Leeds.

''A huge amount of progress has been made throughout the city in terms of bringing people and communities closer together by breaking down barriers such as race or religion.

''I firmly believe the people of Leeds will vote to continue that progress for the benefit of everyone in the city.''

He added: ''They are racists and play on people's fears and create fears that fascist parties have done over the years in Europe and they are no different. I hope the people of Yorkshire give them a resounding 'No' on June 10.

''If a community wants to put up a sign that it's closed for business andin terminal decline, there is no more effective way than electing a BNP councillor. It's a turn off to investors and for people who might want to live there.

''I don't believe they are a proper democratic party. All political parties have a duty to fight them and to deny them any possible chance of aseat.''

The leader of the Conservative group, Andrew Carter, said: ''There is no doubt that in certain areas of Yorkshire and Humberside the BNP will receive a reasonable vote - and this must be counter-balanced by a higher proportion of votes for the major parties.

''This election is not about the European constitution but is about electing members to represent the views of all decent-minded people

''Proportional representation as practised in Europe gives an opportunity for a non-democratic party to win seats. Therefore we must maximise the democratic vote.

''We do not have the luxury of not voting.''