The extremist British National Party is to field a candidate at a forthcoming by-election in Heckmondwike
Today, main political groups united to urge voters to reject BNP candidate David Exley in the vote, on Thursday, August 14.
Kirklees Council's Labour group leader, Councillor Mehboob Khan, said: "The BNP standing for election will stir up racial tension in an area that has seen different communities living happily together for many years."
The ward has been a Labour stronghold for the last five years. The by-election has been caused by the resignation of the group's Councillor Tim Crowther who cited political differences when he quit in June.
Councillor Robert Light, leader of Kirklees Conservatives, said other BNP candidates who had won by-elections did not get actively involved in council affairs.
A BNP spokesman refused to comment about the election.
The full list of candidates standing in the by-election is: Tabasum Aslum (Lib-Dem), Tim Crowther (Ind), David Exley (BNP), Roger Roberts (Con), Florence Smith (Lab) and Heidi Smithson (Green).
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