BNP warning from Blair

| Friday, 14 May 2004 Source: Sunderland Echo

PRIME Minister Tony Blair has warned voters about the dangers of choosing the BNP in the city's forthcoming election.

His warning comes as the city is seeing the largest number of BNP local election candidates in the North of England. Sunderland is also the only local authority where the BNP is contesting all wards.

The Prime Minister, in an interview with BBC Radio Newcastle, said: "I am worried because whenever people take that type of option it has always been disastrous. They (BNP) do not offer solutions to problems. They sow division."

The Prime Minister added that he hoped people would not vote BNP and that they would look at the UK's proud record of tolerance and diversity.

He was speaking after a meeting of Labour councillors and party workers at the Baltic in Gateshead .

He later launched the District of Easington Youth Forum and a scheme to promote the work of East Durham Local Strategic Partnership while at Wingate Community Centre.

Sunderland has more BNP candidates than Leeds, Bradford, or parts of the North West where it has gained a toe-hold on local councils.

Wearside BNP spokesman and party organiser Joseph Dobbie said the number of candidates was reflecting what he called the views of a "silent majority". He said the BNP was concentrating its efforts in the Southwick, Castle, Redhill, Silksworth, St Peter's and Hendon wards.

The party is seeking an end to immigration and what it calls "bogus asylum-seeker schemes".

Mr Dobbie said that it wanted to see more discipline in schools, a crackdown on yob culture and tougher policing.

He said: "People all over Britain are sick of the way that Labour treats them."