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The BNP's success in the European election followed a collapse in Labour's support in its heartlands, Harriet Harman admitted today.
As the far-right party celebrated winning two MEP seats, Ms Harman said that its leader Nick Griffin had played on the public's fears of recession and the expenses scandal.
But Ms Harman conceded that the rise of the BNP in the North West and Yorkshire was in part down to Labour's failure. "I accept that there has been a big fall in support," she said.
The BNP polled fewer votes than in 2004 in both regions, but the halving of the Labour vote meant it won a higher percentage and clinched its first seats in Strasbourg.
The breakthrough means the party can now expect a bumper £4million boost to its income.
Thanks to a lucrative system of pay and allowances, Mr Griffin and his fellow MEP Andrew Brons now have a first-class seats on the EU gravy train worth at least £395,000 each a year.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the vote for the BNP had tarnished the UK's image abroad.
"It's very damaging for Britain - a country that stood up for democracy over the last century - to see the BNP elected to the European parliament.
"We have to make sure that we take very, very seriously the challenge to democratic politics that they show," he said. But Mr Miliband stressed that mainstream parties had to tackle the grievances felt by those who voted for the far-right.
"Every vote is of equal value and it is important we try to understand why people have voted the way they have and make sure the strength of this country and its traditions of decency will win out," he said.
Conservative leader Cameron described the BNP's breakthrough as "desperately depressing".
He said: "What the mainstream parties have to do is prove their worth, get on the doorstep, explain to people how we are going to take up their concerns, how we are going to respond to their issues."
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg told BBC Radio 4's Today: "We shouldn't dismiss the reasons why people have voted for the BNP - the anger, frustration, sense of alienation, sense of powerlessness. We must listen to that and react."
Labour MEPs and trade unions pointed out that Gordon Brown's phrase "British jobs for British workers" had been used by the BNP to legitimise its own campaign.
London MEP Claude Moraes said he suspected the Prime Minister would not use the slogan again, while TUC deputy general secretary Frances O'Grady said she was dismayed at the use of the term.
Labour said it had stopped the BNP in London by getting its vote out in Barking, Tower Hamlets and Bexley.
Mr Moraes said: "Clearly, in other regions that kind of political organisation will have to be stepped up."
Mr Griffin said the BNP's success was due in part to the indigenous white population of the UK being treated as "second- class citizens" in their own country.
The BNP will benefit from fully equipped offices in Brussels and Strasbourg, a salary each of €91,980 a year (£80,443) and an annual staff budget of up to €210,480 (£190,000) which can be spent on employees in the European Parliament or in Britain.
There is also an allowance for telephone and postal costs of €50,424 a year (£45,000).
Reader views (92)
Interesting to note that the Labour Party has a Black Socialist Society within its own ranks, and we look forward to Ms Harman speaking out about the name and membership of that body as well. Perhaps she will force THAT membership to open its doors to white folk..
- Caroline, Shropshire, 12/06/2009 00:56
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Mr.Londoner, London England: Just because they can, that does not mean you can too, especially when you have to come a long way across oceans to take over the country's treasury - duh.
- Boludo Again, london, 09/06/2009 21:00
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Ljw covers it right, in linking economic downturn and the Nazi example of Nationalism.
The vote for BNP is a protest vote, but it also a cry for help.
We the people, want something right to be done, and we don't have a person capable of doing it.
The expenses row, has shown the Labour Gov. as a kindergarten of Bunters shovelling as many maltesers in their faces before time is called. Funny, another commenter said thats whats expected of the Tories; I've always thought that of Labour - anyway,
What I don't think this really has anything to do with is immigration.
The BNP may be well about that); they may have go some votes; more than is usual for a marginal fringe group.
But logically, these two are not connected.
People who are staunchly non-Tory, and who find they can't consciously give Labour a vote, have chosen to use the BNP, and so they have won a goldfish.
I went Green (no planet, no worry), and they did well out of the exercise. And actually no, I don't want to return to the horse and cart.
I think what we want is our own Obama.
Harman is right.
What you are (all) doing is not good enough. Not what we want; not in the right way. Not even close.
One insider has had the balls to say so publically. Less surprising, its a woman.
- Helen, Reading, 09/06/2009 17:20
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I am getting pretty sick of all this one way criticism of the British as Imperialists and exploiters of other races.
Why, when such an argument is brought up, do these people never mention the Rajahs of India who were not averse to treating their own people like garbage? Also, why is the documented heavy involvement of African tribal leaders and Arab slave traders never ever mentioned when the slave trade is invariably trundled out to browbeat people with?
AS I said, its a vendetta. A malicious attitude aimed at bringing the British to their knees in the name of (unwarranted) revenge. This rubbish will not stand anymore with your average British person.
- Londoner, London England, 09/06/2009 14:24
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Frank, Home Counties, England: How did you see racism in my comments. Or is racism just in your head. I checked the Thesaurus just to make sure: history does not also mean racism. For a country than has been across the world taking to make your life better in the home counties, a history lesson might be to much to bear. Why do you think the politician allow free access to the UK or are careful what they sat about immigration: because they know better, they are much closer to that history. It was them who pointed the way to the ships when they left the harbour. They said Ahoy! off to the far east, we need more money to build more homes in the home counties for Frank (bettty!)
- Boludo, london, 09/06/2009 13:11
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The BNP won seats because they managed to get enough people to vote for them its called democracy!
As for Labour loosing well they have for many years failed to represent the people who first set the party up - White, Working Class and not necessarily born here.
With Tony Blair the party was taken over by refugees from the Tory Party who seeing they had no chance of getting elected as Tories joined the Labour Party instead. But they did not have the background to understand how ordinary working class people lived.
The expenses scandle has also hit Labour harder as we are not surprised at Tories claims for Duck Houses and Estatates because that is what we expect. But for Labour we expect higher standards so when it became clear that they were also feathering their own nests well it was a plague on all your houses.
As for voting BNP it should be remembered that with the fall of Communism their is now no Communist Party for the working class to use as a protest vote. While UKIP is just another version of the Conservative Party.
If Labour wants to regain its core voters then it needs to drop all the PC Mantra it expouses while local councils need to provide housing for those who have lived there the longest and not just new arrivals who have many children.
Labour should also go out and get more working class people to stand as candidates with less of the drift to University educated middle classes with a conscience.
We need more Dennis Skinners....
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 09/06/2009 12:16
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- Boludo, london
It seems racism is alive and kicking. It is comments like yours that give the BNP a reason to be.
On the one hand we have a party that allows only whites to join. On the other we have Harriet 'Harpy' Harman bringing in legislation that makes it legal to discriminate against white men?
Your damned right it is your fault you mad woman.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 09/06/2009 10:13
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Reading through these comments its quite clear to me that the pro immigration lobby are doing nothing more than waging a vendetta against all things British.
The country is a chaotic mess of competing interests and its all the fault of the nasty British empire and its policy of looting the wealth of everybody else?
That's a plain old vendetta attitude stoked up year after year by closet Marxists with hidden agendas.
However it is not the 20th century anymore. The roots of such an attitude are rightly beginning to fester and rot. Most hard working people can see through it now for what it is. A vendetta aimed at one particular group...the British.
- Londoner, London, England, 09/06/2009 10:12
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It is high time that people stopped blaming immigrants for every woe in this country. Perhaps if the indigenous population took responsibility there would not be the need for immigration on the scale that we see today. Take a look at many neighbourhoods in the UK and you will see people free to spend all day loitering with their many children (annoyingly more than those that work can) fag in mouth and dangerous dog (tugged with trademark harness)whilst they claim every benefit going - guess what they are not immigrants. Don't kid yourself, immigrants want to and do buy homes, work hard, pay taxes and contribute to society. Immigrants not only clean toilets, serve coffee and all the other menial jobs that we do not want to do or feel pay enough but play a vital role in protecting this nation - take a walk through any army base and count how many have been recruited from the commonwealth to serve Queen and country ( again because many cannot hack the harshness of the role and the shamefully low salary putting your life on the line warrants) We also need to remember where the wealth of this country came from and that whilst creating the commonwealth the English language and Christianity was thrust onto millions whilst the natural resources (including people) was plundered. Even today holidays and second homes abroad are at staggering levels yet the 'Brit' has not even bothered to learn another language expecting all to speak English.
- Marie, London, 09/06/2009 01:19
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Wake up, open your ears & eyes. Unless something is done this great country is going to ruin.
- John Smith, London, 08/06/2009 23:53
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You know i find this BNP fiasco really funny. To think it was the BNP who was in India for 150 years plundering from the children of the slums so they could build their terraced houses here in England. And now gee, i am so sorry, Mr BNP is now worried about foreigners being here in the UK taking his jobs. A history lesson for all in the UK will help you remember.
- Boludo, london, 08/06/2009 22:37
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All the major parties have been far too complacent about immigation at its current levels. The election of the BNP may just send them a wake up call
- Watson, London UK, 08/06/2009 22:12
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I think it's partly the fault of those currently in power. But it's also partly because I don't think everyone fully realises the danger of electing the BNP into power. There is a smokescreen as to exactly what their agenda is. I saw these comedians prank calling the BNP on Youtube and it opened my eyes.
- World Citizen, London, UK, 08/06/2009 21:17
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If the BNP, and others like them, dislike the European Union then what are they doing in Brussels, one of the centres of the European Union?
- Mark, Venice, Italy, 08/06/2009 21:07
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I think the majority of posts here say exactly what every British citizen in their right mind is thinking. Certainly, in my opinion, KH and John Entwhistle have - well said guys. Some of the best posts on here - and I don't care about your grammar or spelling KH!
- Napoleon Blownaparte, London, 08/06/2009 17:03
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The fact is they won 2 Euro seats out of 72 and it will still be a miracle if they get a single MP.
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent, 08/06/2009 16:58
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Well Done BNP and UKIP.
- Vince, London, West London area, 08/06/2009 16:41
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Are we commenting on the state of politics in the UK or having a competition to see who can claim the highest moral ground?
When I read through these posts I am reminded of the old soviet technique of labelling any dissent to the status quo as insanity, inferiority, or fascism. That Frankfurt school has a lot to answer for.
- Londoner, London, England, 08/06/2009 16:33
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Reuben Camara, Democracy has never existed in the UK because Monarchy and Democracy are incompatible.We oretend it does by electing our government but onlysome of it. The Head is not elected or is the PM and the so called "Lords".
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK, 08/06/2009 16:31
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Immigration is made up of two kinds of workers: Skilled and Unskilled.
- You cannot stop skilled migration as the British businesses (that make the backbone of prosperity) will suffer.
- You cannot stop unskilled migration until you reform the Social security system to get trash of their back sides and back into workforce on a wage that is appropriate for their talents.
- The real solution is to make the points based migration system work (like the one OZ, NZ & Canada have) for the skills that UK businesses desperately need but cannot source locally (e.g. Nurses, IT specialists etc.)
- Reform the UK Social Security system as such that unskilled people don't make more money on benefits than what they would at work. Wake up, no one makes £15/hr for bagging groceries….full stop !!
Question: Would BNP would ever do that ? i.e. Import the required skills and get the trash back into workforce….NEVER !!!
- R.Minto, London, 08/06/2009 16:28
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"a country that stood up for democracy over the last century", yes minute-brain, and soviet-style by diktat over the past 12 years from your Supreme Leaders. Wake up, fool.
- A, Cameron, Liege, Belgium, 08/06/2009 16:26
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juma: yes you are right about the leadership of the BNP, but i do think they target the uneducated working class (english) whites, who are so easily influenced, and speaking of which: sorry to john and shirley i did mean to write UNEDUCATED - yes i spelt it wrong - but hey if thats all you point out in my comment, well that means my point was made, and very well imo,!!!
- Kh, London UK, 08/06/2009 16:22
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To LI London, did you know that Gordon Brown was a Stalinist well the country voted for him as Chancellor 3 times.
- Richard K, Nottingham, 08/06/2009 16:15
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Quote: Ll, London. Mr Brons was previously a member of the National Front. Ask yourself, would you vote a skinhead with toe-capped boots into Parliament - because you just have. Shame on you.
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Norman Tebbit; the Chingford skinhead, springs to mind, a typical North Londoner from Enfield, another Right wing warrior that likes the boot up the jacksi.
- Mickyinlondon, london, 08/06/2009 16:04
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Ethan, UK- re your post on KH of London for calling the white working class lazy & uneducated, not all are. However those members of the white working class (or any other class) that voted for the BNP aren’t just lazy and uneducated but also selfish, small minded, bigoted, ignorant, pompous, arrogant and stupid.
- Nj, london, 08/06/2009 16:00
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Quote: John Entwistle, Hertford. You DO realise that the English aren't a race don't you...maybe I need to be a little clearer for the hard of thinking: Anyone who votes for the BNP should probably avoid marrying another short plank.
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You are correct according the British Government; John; on their official forms they ask for your nationality etc; but English is not there; you are white British; but not English etc.
You can put Irish, Scottish, or Welsh, they include those nationalities on their forms along with all other nationalities; but not English etc.
I guess you must be right about the English being as thick as short planks; most think that being born in a country called England; some-how makes them think they are really English.
Could you; or anyone else, tell me where England is; I have heard a lot about this country called England; that doesn’t actually have any English people living there?
I guess I am just another English thick plank.
How wonderful for all you people that are not English thick planks; you are so clever with your educational skills and wisdom.
- Mickyinlondon, london, 08/06/2009 15:56
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Please do not believe for one moment that Labour stopped the BNP in Barking by getting the vote out. That is the biggest load of rubbish we in Barking will ever hear.
Labour in Barking led by M Hodge MP were running around like headless chickens knocking on doors in one ward and one ward only, that was the town centre ward, which everyone here knows has the largest ethnic minority vote in Barking.
And that is just what Hodge is basing here survival on 1 ward thats it pure and simple.
So please dont credit Barking with saving London.
- Derrick, Barking, 08/06/2009 15:46
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The underclass that New Labour have cultivated over the last decade is proving to be fertile ground for the recruitment of extremists - of all complexions. Reep what you sow. Hang your heads in shame.
- Paul, Kent, 08/06/2009 15:40
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Miliband states that the BNP have tarnished the image of the UK abroad.
JOE PUBLIC KNOWS FULL WELL WHO HAS TARNISHED THE IMAGE OF THE UK ABROAD - GORMLESS BROWN AND STUPID MILIBAND.
WHY ALL THE FUSS ABOUT THE BNP WINNING TWO SEATS IN THE EU PARLIAMENT?
BROWN, MEDDLESUM, JACKBOOT STRAW, BLUNKETT AND PRESCOTT ALL BELIEVE THAT THE UK SHOULD BE RUN AS A JACKBOOT AUTOCRACY.
DEMOCRACY DOES NOT EXIST IN THE UK.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe, Lancaster, 08/06/2009 15:35
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Correct but for the wrong reason-This is an indictment on Labour's eleven years of Immigration Policy,that's why the public voted for them.If you had bothered to go around and ask you would know-shear ignorance of Public feeling and views.
- Harvey N Lawrence, London, 08/06/2009 15:33
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re Barry, Hertford,.."I think we can sadly expect a lot more racist attacks over the summer, because this lot think their time is coming. ..."
Completee poppy-cock,..there is so much day to day violence perputrated by Labour voters on Labour,-/Tory victims & householders the past 30 years. Police crime figures prove that.
Most murders,-/crimes in the UK are commited by white Labour voters
Scotsmen openly attack Englishmen when they are across the border,..& Irish the same
I think you suffer from too much Commie-Labour brainwashing clap-trap,..
Most of the killers in the UK military,.. SAS vote Labour or Tory.
Most of the Mi5 & Mi6 vote Tory,..the Admirals & Generals that send soldiers to their deaths are all Tory
Biggest murderers in the world are the white Western "Christians" who send their military to Iraq TWO TIMES to commit atrocities based on lies & against International Law
- A. Brown, London UK, 08/06/2009 15:20
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John Entwistle - one of the few salient comments amidst a sea of sanctimonious, bleeting rubbish.
- Elaine, Cambridge, Cambridge, 08/06/2009 15:20
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The Nazi party of the 1930's did a lot of their recruitment in the beer halls of Germany. Roll forward 75 years and imagine how much joy the BNP will get in the town centre pubs of 2009.
I think John Entwhistle hit the nail on the head - there are a lot of stupid people in this country, and there are a lot of racists who will see this result as legitamising their twisted beliefs.
I think we can sadly expect a lot more racist attacks over the summer, because this lot think their time is coming.
Germany turned it's back and pretended Hitler was just a silly fanatic and only acted when it was far too late.
Let's hope the electorate wise up after this warning.
- Barry, Hertford England
Barry, there aren't enough "Pubs" these days, they will have to congregate in the Supermarkets!
I must admit, being the age that I am, and partly living through the last war and all of it's aftermath, I am very worried about the trend towards extremist organisations being elected.
GERONIMO
- Kenneth Hickford, LONDON, 08/06/2009 15:14
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So let me get this right.
I can vote for anyone I like as the UK is a democracy, but if I vote for the BNP I am a racist/protest vote/stupid/thick and so on.
I did not vote BNP but unless thay are a illegal party then don’t moan, all this you can vote for anyone as long as you lot approve of them is rubbish.
I might now vote for them out of spite, will that count as a wasted vote – rather that than the UK wreckers like brown / blair.
- Sean Dempsey, hayes london., 08/06/2009 15:14
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KH,London,UK UNEDUATED lmao on the sofa!!!!
- Steve, London,in England., 08/06/2009 15:13
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I'M FED UP LISTENING TO HARRIET HARMAN APOLOGISING. EVERYDAY ITS ANOTHER SORRY, WE GOT IT WRONG, WE ARE REVIEWING, CHECKING, INVESTIGATING.ETC,ETC.BLAH BLAH BLAH
- Mr S.Port, London, 08/06/2009 15:04
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KH, london:
It's a huge mistake to think BNP supporters are uneducated unemployed and on benefits. The party, just like the NSDAP, has some very powerful people behind it, who have been very clever to seize this moment in time and use it to their advantage.
The real danger is that right now, the BNP supporters are not the above type anymore, but "normal" hardworking taxpaying people fed up with the current situation ( crime, nanny state, high taxes and no service, economic crisis).
The traditional parties need to listen to the voters, otherwise things can go ( even further) downhill fast....
- Juma, london, uk, 08/06/2009 15:00
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Kh of London,I couldn't have put it better myself. I agree with every word. It's a shame that the ignorant British public are so dumb they can't see this for themselves. They'd rather blame the "foreigner" rather than themselves that THEY didn't strive for a better life but a foreign person can come into this country, BUY a house and a nice car after working all hours and not going to the pub for a few pints. The ignoarant Brits are a compleete joke, they're the ones that go on holiday and expect everyone to speak English rather than actually learning the local dialect themselves.
- N, London, 08/06/2009 14:49
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Harriet Hormone, Call Me Dave and Nick Who should stop being paranoid about the BNP. The 3 main parties should listen to the concerns of the British public instead of fiddling their expenses. Issues such as a vote on the EU con trick(aka Treaty), rampant immigration and assylum, the law being laughed at by yobs, political correctness gone mad, dumbed down education. The BNP are going nowhere but they are a useful tool to make the arrogant out of touch MP's sit up and listen to us
- Trevn, Abu Dhabi, 08/06/2009 14:38
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Stop the UNEDUATED; bring back the UNEDUCATED! (Kh.)
- John, London, 08/06/2009 14:28
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Kh of London - on the basis of your grammatical and spelling errors, it is you who is uneducated.
- Shirley, London, 08/06/2009 14:26
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So the BNP have hit the gravy train; for the next 5 years they will be in and out of TV studios facing tough questioning, we hope.
- Dhan Raj, basildon, 08/06/2009 14:22
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KH London wrote 'when will the white working classes realise that they are disaffected because they are DAMN LAZY AND UNEDUATED?'
Sorry but I find that personally racially abusive. I've worked every day since leaving full time education in 1979. Never claimed a penny from the state, and have been a higher rate taxpayer for many years. Born in the Peoples Socialist Republic of Newham I neatly fit into
your huge generalisations.
Agreed there is a feral underclass problem but thats no excuse for such a rabid generalisation.
- Ethan, UK, 08/06/2009 14:21
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calling BNP voters childish names only goes to alienate them even further. Some of them undoubtedly are racist Nazis. But IMHO the majority of their votes came from people that felt touched by their other messages, the ones they were more public about. If the mainstream parties start to look at and discuss issues like immigration, the benefits culture and the fact that your average Brit tax payer feels ignored, then these lost votes can be recovered. If however they continue to bury their heads in the sand than expect to see many of those that voted for the moderate right of the UKIP to shift over to the BNP.
There are now many people in this country (like me) who don't care what colour or culture an immigrant is from, they just don't want anymore coming here. Happy enough to find room for those already here though and certainly don't want to ship anyone home who has a right to be here.
- Barry, woking, GB, 08/06/2009 14:19
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when will the white working classes realise that they are disaffected because they are DAMN LAZY AND UNEDUATED?! These people are so ignorant that they still do not realise that voting for the BNP will not bring them the large house your muslim neighbours have (through sheer hard work on their part), or the flash car or the good job the 'ethnics' always seem to have. no the 'ethnics' have worked hard and got themselves educated, rather than sitting on their backsides thinking that because they are white and English they deserve all the handouts the country gives despite being fit enough to work (although too stupid to go to university). Maybe if the voters the BNP target(yes you unemployed in dagenham puffing on your fag in your council house) had a brain cell between them they might realise that a vote for the BNP WILL ALWAYS BE A WASTED ONE. now you lot get back to the jeremy kyle show!!!
- Kh, London UK
Amen, KH! Couldn't have put it better myself!
- Napoleon Blownaparte, London, 08/06/2009 14:15
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Mr Brons was previously a member of the National Front. Ask yourself, would you vote a skinhead with toe-capped boots into Parliament - because you just have. Shame on you.
- Ll, London, 08/06/2009 14:03
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So far, the election results have elicited press comments from Cameron, Farage and Griffin, but not a single squeak from our illustrious leader, one G.Brown. As usual, this imbecile has treated the electors as spectators, whilst his Titanic steams towards the iceberg.
- Bingham Macnamara, lymington, hampshire, 08/06/2009 14:02
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It seems to me that the votes going to the UKIP and BNP are EUROPEAN votes - they are the most outspoken anti-EU parties. They'd probably fall flat on their faces in a general election. This in turn, to me at least, shows how people are actually making their voices heard over the EU question.
Look at the policies of the other nation's fringe parties who have succeeded this time around in the EU elections. They too are cashing in in the ground swell of opposition from the common voters demanding to be heard for a change regarding the sleight of hand, imposed European super state.
It is something I think the leading parties need to heed.
- Rogan, Irving, 08/06/2009 13:45
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Ljw, London. If you must quote me try reading what I have said. I was talking about the feelings of the population in general and not the BNP membership. You look foolish ranting on about Hitler and Mcjobs. I am clearly suggesting people of all ethnic backgrounds feel the immigration policy in this country is failing everyone thus given rise to the support of the BNP. Not once do I suggest I support the BNP, but your post shows real hate.
Your comment "bothered to learn a foreign language" is wrong English is the language of this country and people wishing to live here should show us some respect and be the ones willing to learn, rather than expecting us all to learn every language. Ignorant comments like yours are clear proof evolution is moving backwards I London 2009
- Gary, Brentwood 1, 08/06/2009 13:33
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G.BROWN HAS THE MINDSET OF AN ARROGANT SOCIAL ENGINEER,TYPICAL OF THE FABIAN SOCIALIST THAT HE AND HIS COHORTS ARE.
- Tonygoody, STAVANGER NORWAY, 08/06/2009 13:26
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The Nazi party of the 1930's did a lot of their recruitment in the beer halls of Germany. Roll forward 75 years and imagine how much joy the BNP will get in the town centre pubs of 2009.
I think John Entwhistle hit the nail on the head - there are a lot of stupid people in this country, and there are a lot of racists who will see this result as legitamising their twisted beliefs.
I think we can sadly expect a lot more racist attacks over the summer, because this lot think their time is coming.
Germany turned it's back and pretended Hitler was just a silly fanatic and only acted when it was far too late.
Let's hope the electorate wise up after this warning.
- Barry, Hertford England, 08/06/2009 13:23
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when will the white working classes realise that they are disaffected because they are DAMN LAZY AND UNEDUATED?! These people are so ignorant that they still do not realise that voting for the BNP will not bring them the large house your muslim neighbours have (through sheer hard work on their part), or the flash car or the good job the 'ethnics' alwaysseem to have. no the 'ethnics' have worked hard and got themselves educated, rather than sitting on their backsides thinking that because they are white and english they deserve all the handouts the country gives despite being fit enough to work (although too stupid to go to university). Maybe if the voters the BNP target(yes you unemployed in dagenham puffing on your fag in your council house) had a brain cell between them they might realise that a vote for the BNP WILL ALWAYS BE A WASTED ONE. now you lot get back to the jeremy kyle show!!!
- Kh, London UK, 08/06/2009 13:16
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The BNP seem to be getting a bad name. What do they stand for apart from their predudice against things foreign.
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK, 08/06/2009 13:14
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Maybe now the media will realize that the BNP are mainstream and start acknowledging they have public support. Instead of the constant attacks on the party will old rethoric, they should be reviewing thier policies and discussing them.
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London, 08/06/2009 13:13
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The reason that the BNP have done very well in the election is down to the fact that a fair number of people in England are thick.
- John Entwistle, Hertford
Totally agree there John, particularly in the North East and North West, which is why the BNP have successfully exploitd their gullibility, backwardness and general lack of intelligence.
- Napoleon Blownaparte, London, 08/06/2009 13:09
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Sms (London) - You DO realise that the English aren't a race don't you...maybe I need to be a little clearer for the hard of thinking: Anyone who votes for the BNP should probably avoid marrying another short plank.
- John Entwistle, Hertford, 08/06/2009 13:09
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Actually Ethan the BNP won't allow non-whites to join. 2003 is eight years ago - their policies change all the time, well, I call them 'policies', but ... Maybe email the party directly for confirmation if you don't accept that - and ruminate on the fact that a senior member of this party called the beating of Rodney King 'brilliant' - take your own advice and do a Google search on this one. It makes me depressed that people are wasting time and energy on this site trying to legitimise a morally and polically bankrupt party and 'debate' their right to existence. It really is true that the older you get, the more you despair of humanity.
- Ljw, London, 08/06/2009 12:58
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Nick Griffin talks about the tissue of lies that have in spread about his party have been seen through. Is this the same Nick Griffin whose BNP used images of actors and models posing as members of his party on their material as well using soldiers on their publicity material who they had no right or permission to use. When the party was challenged by the soldier, he was told to **** ***! Is this the same party who claimed Jesus would be in the BNP? For your information Mr Griffin, Jesus was not a white anglo saxon and therefore, would not have been allowed into your disgusting, sordid little party. Who's the liar Mr Griffin? I think it's you!
- Bruce Edwards, London, 08/06/2009 12:55
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Why does everyone slate the BNP what about the SNP who want an independent Scotland or the welsh PC who want everyone to speak welsh nobody calls them racists. Question are they racist or nationalist. If we certain groups act in certain ways and highlight the fact we are racist.
- M Smith, london, 08/06/2009 12:35
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Jacob (Canterbury) - I think you have somehow managed to prove my argument and disprove your own with one badly written email!
- John Entwistle, Hertford, 08/06/2009 12:30
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All the ex servicemen I am in contact with through out the country tell me they voted UKIP or BNP
- E.Reed, Bournemouth,UK, 08/06/2009 12:24
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I woke up this morning thinking it had been a dream but no a man who is an utter fascist has got a foothold in Europe. Well, well done everyone who couldn't be bothered to find time to vote from 7am - 10pm last Thursday. Why couldn't you be bothered to vote?
What the BNP and their supporters fail to realise is that there is no such thing as an indigenous race in GB. They perpetuate hate and fear and their use of veterans on their website makes me sick to my stomach.
These are the same men and women who fought to make sure we could live in a free world without fear of harm just because of our race and creed.
It's utterly disgusting they will be able to represent us in Europe however calling for them to be banned is not the answer. Instead, exposing them as the lying, scared, bigoted morons they are is. By banning them you would push their "cause" underground where it would be more dangerous than it already is.
And the people that voted for this party are nothing less and disgusting. How do you explain to your children that you voted for a party which stands for hate?
- Alexandra, London, 08/06/2009 12:21
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John Entwistle- I absolutely agree, the BNP have been trying to position themselves as a respectable right of centre party, but it doesn’t take too much wit to see through this as a tissue of lies- they are the same old vile racists they always were. However I’d add that a lot of people who voted for the BNP did so not because they endorse their policies but to punish mainstream political parties. The public perception is that the main stream parties are out of touch and unless they can learn to connect with the electorate I fear we will see this result repeated in a general election, people will soon realise what a mistake they have made, but by then it’ll be too late.
- Nj, London, 08/06/2009 12:20
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John, ignoring the overt racism in your response (change 'England' to any other country or ethnic group and see what the response would be) a fair number of people in England are not thick - just sick of being made fools of (and whose votes are taken for granted ) by the three main parties.
- Sms, London, 08/06/2009 12:18
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I have no love whatever of the British National (Nazi) Party or the BNP as it is known but if anybody is to blame for their rise, it is the overly liberal mentality of the Labour Government letting all and sundry live here even after they have been refused entry plus tax rises endless stupid new laws and much more, coupled with the idiots in the European parliament who have decimated our farming industry, brought out ludicrous rulings and to whom we give way to much of our national budget each year. It seems common sense has evaporated over the years and been replaced by ideologies and touchy feely milksop politics.
- John, London, United Kingdom, 08/06/2009 12:12
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The results from the Euro elections are a great result for those that believe in democracy. For the two main parties that believe the political system in this country revolves around them, it is a disaster with less than 45% of the vote between them. It is no use their condemning the fact that the BNP have got two seats. Fixing the system to stop them getting elected in future is not the way. Listening to the British public and responding to them rather than dictating is the answer.
Incidentally our proportional representation system by being regionalised is still a fix. Proper European democracies work the results on the basis of share of the total national vote. That would have meant the BNP getting four seats. The SNP with less than half the BNP vote have got as many seats. They believe in Scots not English is that not racist?
Have not done the sums but in a true PR system, there would have been a chance of the Christian Party getting a seat on their share of the vote. Now I do not believe in God, do not believe that religion should be involved in politics. Can anyone tell me what the appeal of a Christian Party would be those of Hindu or Muslim beliefs? Does this not make them a racist party as well? Have not read of any condemnation of them. Labour are happy to cosy up the the ever growing Muslim population in the hope of electoral benefit. What happens when the Muslims realise they are being used and decide to set up their own Muslim denominated political party?
- Harry H, London UK, 08/06/2009 12:09
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John Entwistle,-what an prize idiot you are,-with six months of the year still to run, its unlikely anyone will post anything more dumb than that.
- Jacob, Canterbury Kent, 08/06/2009 12:04
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Joanne Smith, I think you have misunderstood ... I suspect it's been Gordon's secret mission to run England into the ground since he took office!
- Marianne, SW France/London, 08/06/2009 12:02
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Ljw. - The greens would do better than taking us back to the 1930s as Labour are doing. They would probably send us to the Victorian age and the horse and cart.
- Mr S.Port, London, 08/06/2009 11:59
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LJW you said - So Gary of Brentwood, non-whites support the BNP too, do they? Shame they'll never be able to join the party - the BNP don't accept non-whites as candidates.
LJW that would be news to Rajinder Singh who was a BNP candidate in 2003 in Darlington (try Google before making foolish statements). I also recall another chap in a Turban being a BNP candidate but couldn't recall his name Hardeep something. Does he pass your persil test too?
Debate is good but please try to be more factual. Incidentally I didn't vote for the BNP.
- Ethan, UK, 08/06/2009 11:51
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THIS CERTAINLY GIVES A GOOD IMPRESSION OF THE BRITISH PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD!!!! UNFORTUNATELY PEOPLE FOCUS ON THE MINORITY BNP SUPPORTERS AND STERO TYPE THE MAJORITY AS RACIST. HOW DO YOU THINK FORIGNERS WILL RESPOND TO WHITE BRITISH PEOPLE WHO HAVE EMIGRATED TO PLACES OF 'COLOUR'? IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP!
- Trudy, London, 08/06/2009 11:49
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The reason that the BNP have done very well in the election is down to the fact that a fair number of people in England are thick.
- John Entwistle, Hertford, 08/06/2009 11:40
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On the 65th aniversary of the D-Day landings......
To the people who voted BNP: behind the suits, PR & spin still lies a core following of racist criminals. Your vote has insulted the many men and women who laid down their lives to free Europe of Fascism.
Shame on you all!
- Decency, London, UK, 08/06/2009 11:38
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England and Gordon Brown - I hope you are very proud.
This is simply disgusting.
- Joanne Smith, London, 08/06/2009 11:36
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I fear Gordan Brown more than I do Nick Griffin.
- Ge, Kernow, 08/06/2009 11:04
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What did you all honestly think would be the outcome from these elections. I'm not shocked by these results. Its a very very big wake up call.......
- Jonny, London, 08/06/2009 11:04
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So Gary of Brentwood, non-whites support the BNP too, do they? Shame they'll never be able to join the party - the BNP don't accept non-whites as candidates. We were probably all immigrants once - do you know where your forbears came from? It's a knee-jerk, ignorant reaction to blame 'immigrants' as soon as the economy hits the skids and it is shameful that so many idiots think they are making some kind of statement by voting for the BNP, and deluding themselves into thinking that they actually have any real policies to offer the country. The situation is far more complex than that, and recessions are cyclical. Most immigrants are actually here to do the jobs we don't want to do, or to fill recognised skills gaps. And because the EU allows free movement between member states there's nothing you can do about much of it. Perhaps if more British people bothered to learn a foreign language they'd be able to take advantage of the opportunities available to work in Europe, instead of sitting on their backsides, blaming outsiders for their problems and electing extremist thugs, just like the Germans did in 1936. Go and read a few history books and see where that got them, and the rest of the world. If you want to register a protest vote, choose the Greens. At least they are trying to do something good for the country, rather than dragging us back to the 1930s.
- Ljw, London, 08/06/2009 10:57
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It beggars belief that Labour have sunk to such depths of depravity and skulduggery, spin and waffle, smoke and mirrors.
Gormless Brown believes that he is running a jackboot autocracy - giving jobs to the likes of Meddlesum and now Alan Sugar, via the back door.
400,000 men and women gave their lives for the FREEDOMS AND DEMOCRACY of this country in WW2.
FREEDOMS? DEMOCRACY?
JOE PUBLIC ARE NOW BEING FORCED TO LIVE IN FEAR.
JOE PUBLIC IS UNDER CONSTANT SURVEILLANCE.
ONE LAW FOR JOE PUBLIC AND A DIFFERENT LAW FOR MP's.
NOBODY SHOULD BE AT ALL SURPRISED THAT THE BNP HAVE WIPED THE FLOOR WITH LABOUR.
FROM THIS DAY FORWARD - IT IS GOING TO GET INFINITELY WORSE IN THE UK.
GORMLESS BROWN STILL REFUSES TO LISTEN TO THE ELECTORATE.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe, Lancaster, 08/06/2009 10:50
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'Dave Davies, Basingstoke'
Probably not an unreasonable point, but nevertheless, the main political parties cannot ignore it based on that assumption. The BNP have a foothold, and that entitles them to more money to strenghten their position.
To simply dismiss as a protest vote ignores the festering problems that a stronger, better financed BNP brings
- John Bloomfield, Twickenham, 08/06/2009 10:45
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GOD HELP US NOW
- Martin, preston, 08/06/2009 10:32
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When you have the governing party getting 15% of the vote it is incredibly compalcent to say it is "just a protest vote". This is probably the lowest vote for any of the 2 major parties since before Labour even existed as a national party.The main problem is and has been for 2 years that Brown is totally unsuited for this job. he needs psychotherapy not 10 Downing Street.
- Mikes, London, 08/06/2009 10:31
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WELL DONE MPS, NOW ANYONE THAT HAS TAKEN EXCESS EXPENSES, AND THAT INCLUDES EVEN FOOD, GET THE MESSAGE AND GO. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNEMPLOYED GETTING ONLY £50 A WEEK DUE TO A SYSTEM THAT TAKES IN ACCOUNT A WIFE WORKING EVEN TWO DAYS A WEEK, WHILE YOU HAVE COLLECTED THOUSANDS. RESIGN NOW WE DO WANT TO HEAR YOU DRAWING PENSIONS OR SEVERANCE PAY, JUST GO.
- Alan Green, Woodford Green, 08/06/2009 10:25
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What's the problem? They were acting within the rules.
- Bj, London, 08/06/2009 10:25
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Maybe now, finally, after all these years, the main parties will not totally and utterly ignore the issue of mass immigration swamping and changing areas and face up to it.
Only by facing this fact will they be able to actively face the challenge of the BNP
Do i want the BNP to have any say in politics? Certainly not. Did i vote for them, yes i did.
- Lb, London, 08/06/2009 10:12
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You only reap what you sow. The Labour party have been running down the fringe parties in the UK calling them extremists !! For goodness sake Tony Blair even called the Conservative voters fascists !!! No one mentions that now because they have a bunch of real fascists who are elected democratically. Do not be fooled, they will only get stronger because the more people try to shut them up the more people will side with them.
- Nick Holland, glasgow, 08/06/2009 10:06
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Unbelievable to think that 65% DID NOT VOTE, where were you all????? armchair spectators shame shame shame!!! on those who voted for them utterly digraceful, slap in the face for all our heroes who died for us. I am totally disgusted.
- Annie, london, 08/06/2009 10:05
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This is a real blow against the self-serving fat cat politicians and their media pals who run our lives. People are fed up with corruption, sleaze, street crime, mass third world immigration, the welfare of criminals being put before that of their victims, having every aspect of their lives monitored and spied upon by bureaucrats. Enough is enough.
- Marcoscu, London, UK, 08/06/2009 09:57
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It was not preached to the crowd, it was not taught by the state, no man spoke it aloud, the day the English began to hate.
- Gazza, London,England, 08/06/2009 09:39
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Dont get too excited, this was a protest vote, nothing more.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 08/06/2009 09:36
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("All of us who care about this country, care about our way of life here, care about democracy, will spend the next five years working to make sure the fascists are not returned.")Yes Mr Leese we need to preserve this way of life for our children. Like claiming money for their second homes, taken us to war, lying about education, immigration, NHS (remember we have only 24 hours to save the nhs) robbing pension funds, taking us into Europe without a vote,£200-300 billion in debt and these are just a few of the deeds that labour have done for us. You are right Mr Leese we need to preserve this way of life for our children.
- Stephend, London, England, 08/06/2009 09:05
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The brutal, harsh reality is that the BNP have ascended because they enjoy popular support (protest or otheerwise), itself a consequence of abandonment of a large section of the people by mainstream political parties.
Professional politicians who happily seek power with the assistance of abstinence are in part responsible because they and they alone have taken for granted the traditional support they have. Why else is the most disturbing fact that it is tradional Labour voters who are either not voting or voting away from the mainstream ?
So those who strive for public office, if they find the sight of a BNP elected official abhorrent, should not run away en masse ! These so called leaders in the making have a duty to confront extremism wherever it is and deal with it so that it does become marginalised, and that requires them to re-engage the disaffected masses.
Otherwise, the 1930s may be repeated, with the only opposition to the rise of right wing extremism being violent confrontation, itself proof of the scale of abandonment by the mainstream.
- John Bloomfield, Twickenham, 08/06/2009 08:47
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A good day for the democratic system a bad day for Britain, I hope Brown is swollen with pride at what he has done to this country. His failing to listen is fashioned this and I do not support the presumption this is just a protest vote. This is a vote that people feel the imitation policy in this country is failing everyone.
I do not think the BNP are trying to hide anything people know what they get when they vote for them the only way of stopping the BNP is to listen to what people are saying. By the way it is not just blonde blue eyed white people saying this. It is the mainstream various ethnic background multi skin colour who feel the floodgates need to be closed and the streams of people seeking to take advantage of our weak borders easy going NHS and benefits systems need to be removed and people start treating this country with pride.
- Gary, Brentwood 1, 08/06/2009 08:47
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