Letters to the Editor

Sir - Anyone who watched the BBC documentary last week about the British National Party cannot have failed to be appalled by what they saw and heard.

The programme confirmed what I have always believed about the BNP, that they have succeeded in developing a thin veneer of respectability to enable them to masquerade as a mainstream political party and attract votes from decent law-abiding citizens, as they did in the local elections a few weeks ago; but that underneath that veneer, the reality is very different.

What is needed now is for all of us involved in mainstream politics in Keighley to unite and work together to ensure that the BNP never again enjoys the sort of electoral success here that they did a few weeks ago.

Whatever our political differences, this is one issue upon which, I am sure, we can all agree.

Robert Collinson, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Keighley, Churchill House, North Street, Keighley.

No room for racists

SIR - The T&A should be congratulated for exposing the true nature of the BNP, its members, and its aims.

Unfortunately it was too late to prevent four of them gaining seats in City Hall. Some who voted for them will realise that they were misled.

Electing white racists is no way to deal with Asian racists, and is certainly not the way to build a single community with common interests as well as acceptable differences.

There is no place for racist hooligans of any colour in the streets, and certainly not in the City Council. There are places where they should go: one of them is in Armley.

L Hobsbaum, Willow Crescent, Bradford.

The truth is out

Sir - I was appalled and disgusted by the British National Party in the recent documentary, though sadly not shocked to see such views and behaviour expressed by them.

To suggest, as they are now, that these were isolated individuals deliberately recruited is a blatant lie. There was enough evidence from their leader, Nick Griffin's, own mouth to bury that lie. Not to mention the criminal acts performed by many of his closest followers.

The BBC has removed the mask of the BNP. I am sure many of the good people of Bradford will now feel they have been hoodwinked into voting for the BNP.

Anyone who saw that documentary could be in no doubt they do not care about our communities. Hope-fully no-one will again fall for their false propaganda and lies that they peddle around our communities.

Ann Morgan, Chain Street, Bradford.

A wake-up call

SIR - The reason people have turned to the BNP is that they have frustrations which they consider are not recognised by the political establishment.

Indeed the BNP activists themselves admitted as much in the BBC documentary when they poured scorn on the reluctance of mainstream politicians to discuss sensitive issues of race, immigration or the conduct of the Muslim community.

The only politician who has had the courage to tackle this has been Ann Cryer MP who deserves the utmost respect. Therefore when she is quoted in the T&A comparing the situation in Bradford with that of Belfast I sit up and take note.

In Bradford a large number of people have voted for the BNP. An even larger number have already voted with their feet.

The election of the BNP councillors and the BBC documentary is hopefully a wake-up call to the fact we need some open and honest debate in this city.

The indigenous population should not be made to feel guilty about its concerns. The racism of the BNP is not to be condoned but neither is the head-in-the-sand attitude of the majority of our elected representatives.

Dave Allan, Heaton Road, Heaton.

Beware all bigotry

Sir - I am sure most Bradfordians will have been appalled by the outrageous opinions expressed by members of the BNP on the recent BBC programme.

However, it appeared that some of the subjects interviewed were guided, goaded and enticed into saying what the reporter wanted them to say. Such methods of extracting information would normally be considered illegal and would not be admissible in a court of law.

What stood out, however, was the similarity between the extreme views of some BNP members and those of certain Muslim fanatics, the only difference being that when the BNP speaks out everyone in authority runs around in circles like frightened rabbits. When a Muslim cleric spouts his venom nothing happens at all.

Apparently it is acceptable for a Muslim cleric to support child suicide bombers and the murder of Jews and Westerners, but not for me to say I consider the amputation of limbs to be barbaric or to condemn the atrocious treatment of women in some Islamic States.

When the wrongs and the bigots of all races, colours and creeds are condemned equally, then the self-righteous, holier-than-thou intelligentsia can condemn the BNP.

Malcolm Wood, Westercroft View, Northowram.

Ludicrous plea

SIR - As a visitor to the area I was appalled by the fascist comments of some of Bradford's councillors as reported in Friday's issue.

Opposition leader Councillor Greenwood demanded that the BNP resign en masse. Your paper printed pictures of four of the BNP councillors and admitted that only two appeared in the BBC documentary.

To demand that all party members resign because of the criminal actions of some is a ludicrous statement and would leave the House of Commons and every council hall in Britain an empty place.

Councillor Greenwood is implying that being a member of a political party to which he is opposed, is enough to preclude one from office. The last European politician to take such a stance was Adolf Hitler.

You can call on a politician to resign who is facing criminal charges. You cannot call on a democratically elected politician to resign simply because they belong to a certain party. If you wish to fight the fascist element of a party, then use the right to freedom of speech and reasoned argument. The same rights this country fought for 60 years ago.

Peter Geddes, Ravenshaw, Larencekirk.

Why resign?

SIR - A television programme shows BNP members swearing and threatening. So what? You only have to walk the streets of our city to see and hear non-BNP people behaving that way.

The T&A (July 16) headlined: 'Quit now' because of this dubious undercover TV programme. I wonder, what would have been recorded if this spy had secretly infiltrated a Labour or Tory informal meeting in a pub?

You cannot expected freely elected councillors to resign just because the opposition don't like them. If this were to be carried out for all councillors, then our council chambers would be empty.

The same applies to manifestos. To say the BNP gave a false impression with their manifesto is only to put them on the same level as all other parties. Whoever heard of a party adhering to its manifesto?

J Lewis Nicoll, Plumpton Gardens, Wrose.

Lack of investment

Sir - The bravery of individuals who stand up to the lawlessness and abhorrent practices of the BNP must be applauded. Having watched the BBC programme on the activity of BNP supporters, and listened to Nick Griffin's interview, we believe many T&A readers will share our feelings of disgust and shame.

Feelings of shame result from the knowledge that the rise of such extremist organisations follows inadequate action on the part of many in influential positions. They 'pretend' that problems like racism and religious prejudice don't happen here!

For years, inadequate support and resources have been provided to agencies like schools that are in a key position to counter racism and racist attitudes. Despite reports such as Lord Ouseley's in 2001, and local riots, there is little investment in anti-racist education and religious awareness raising, for people of all ages. A sustained approach is required to combat the prejudice and bigotry shown both in the BBC programme and local voting support for the BNP. Subsequent generations will thank those in power for taking a long term view.

David and Kathryn Fitch, Moorside Road, Eccleshill.