news
8th May 2010
Multicultural Barking defeats the BNP – a victory for the whole country
Unite Against Fascism news release 7 May 2009
BNP obliterated in Barking and Dagenham as voters overwhelmingly reject fascism.
The fascist British National Party (BNP) have suffered their worst ever defeat by losing all council seats in Barking. This follows the crushing defeat of BNP leader Nick Griffin by Margaret Hodge last night.
The BNP was overwhelmingly defeated in every ward. Turnout increased by 24 percent to 62 percent from 38 percent in 2006, indicating a big mobilisation of the anti-BNP vote.
Barking and Dagenham was the BNP's strongest borough where it previously had 12 council seats.
These spectacular results indicate that the BNP can be defeated, even in its supposed strong areas.
Margaret Hodge MP for Barking said:
"This is a great moment in history – a never to be forgotten moment for both the good people of Barking and Dagenham and for all of us in Britain. Our voters have been faced with a stark choice. They have overwhelmingly chosen to support democratic politics, built on tolerance, fairness and decency – not fascist politics built on division, prejudice and hatred. This vote is an important and clear victory for our values our respect for and solidarity with all, whatever their race, religion or background, our determination to always work in the interests of the many not the few, and our strong commitment to social mobility and equality. On behalf of all the people in Britain, we in Barking have not just beaten, but we have smashed the attempt by extremist outsiders to exploit people’s fears and concerns to foster evil national political ends. The message from Barking to the Nazi party is clear: Get out and stay out. You are not wanted here and your vile politics have no place in British democracy."
Saima Ashraf, newly elected Labour councillor said:
"This a really great result. I'm so proud to be representing my community and defeating the fascist BNP in the process."
Sabby Dhalu, Unite Against Fascism Joint Secretary said:
"The people of Barking and Dagenham have overwhelmingly rejected the fascist BNP. This is a victory for the whole of Britain as the BNP has not just been defeated in Barking and Dagenham, it has been annihilated. Not only did the BNP fail to gain a single seat, it suffered an overwhelming defeat at the hands of a team of councillors who represent the multicultural diversity of Barking. The anti-BNP majority in Barking and Dagenham made its voice heard. Let's keep it this way."
Weyman Bennett Unite Against Fascism Joint Secretary said:
"The BNP have been comprehensively beaten by united action by anti-fascists. We exposed the BNP as being Nazis and they were rejected by the people of Barking and Dagenham. This is a good day for anti-fascism."
Bellavia Ribeiro-Addy NUS Black Students Officer said:
The fascist BNP have been resoundingly rejected by the people of Barking. Students and young people played a critical role in gaining this historic result. The campaign had already seen young black people supporting the Labour party subjected to vicious racist abuse. This result will mean the young people of Barking - Black, White, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, LGBT - people of all faiths and none - will be able to walk safer on their streets. Furthermore, this monumental result shows that the racist lies of the BNP can be defeated. The BNP spread the pernicious racist "Africans for Essex" lie about grants given to Africans to move into the area, and they attacked the Muslim community. The anti BNP campaign dispelled these myths. We are proud of the anti-racist stand that has been made in Barking that is a shining example not only to the rest of Britain, but also the rest of Europe on how to defeat fascism."
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