British National Party have no place in a decent society

As you know we at Operation Black Vote are vociferously non-party political. But we support the political action of any party and politician that denounces the race hatred that is the BNP.

I was born here in the UK and have worked all my adult life, but according to the BNP I can never be British, neither can the young Muslim Brits here in Burnley and across the country and, according to the BNP, because of their Jewish heritage, neither can Michael Howard or Oliver Letwin.

Worse still it is clear that BNP party members have not only been engaged in criminal activity and violence they continue links with the overtly violent groups such as Combat 18 who, with the help of BNP members put peoples names, pictures and address on their website with the chilling message "Remember places, traitors' faces, they'll all pay for their crimes".

Publicly the BNP have put away their Jack boots and under the cloak of democracy are now wearing pin strip suits. Peddling fear and terror they have used the issues of poor housing, rising unemployment and the war against terrorism as a stick to beat Black and minority ethnic communities. Especially Asylum seekers.

But let's be honest. The success of the BNP over the last four years did not appear from nowhere. They emerged from a climate of scaremongering and demonisation from certain sections of the media and rhetoric from all sides of the political divide.

The column inches and vitriol towards Asylum seekers has been unfair, disproportionate and without a doubt gives oxygen to the BNP bigotry.

Pandering to the Fight Right will not make them go away. A bold and progressive leader will not only face down the BNP but will also engender a climate in which we will not scapegoat the weakest. A society is defined by how its treats its weakest citizens.

I have to say I disagree with the present debate about Asylum seekers from all sides of the political spectrum sadly the debate does not fill me with hope.

But I'm not here to talk about my differences with the political establishment, I'm here to talk about the many positive elements of political collaboration.

Two years ago the then Leader Ian Duncan Smith promised me and Britain's Black communities that we would see talented Black and Asian faces flying the Tory flag sitting on the benches in the House of Commons by the next General election. With two Black and Asians -Adam Afire and Salesh Vara already chosen in safe seats and, maybe a few more on the way, under the stewardship of Michael Howard it looks as though the party will make good that promise. I and the Black communuty applaud you for that.

Some would argue that it's only a small step. I, on the other hand would argue it's a quantum leap. It says more than 3 or 4 BME MP's that should get elected. It is a message to that acutely values the Black and Asian vote, which in many pundits opinion could decide who will be the next Prime Minister, it is a message that values the Black and Asian individual who can play their role in all areas at all levels within the corridors of power, but above all it is a message that states this is the type of dynamic multi-cultural society we are.

In this respect OBV pledges to continue this journey with you Mr Howard and the other political parties. Fighting for a more inclusive democracy, fighting together to comprehensively and democratically defeating the BNP. Fighting for a society that we can all embrace and be proud of."

A speech by Simon Woolley on a visit to Burnley with Michael Howard MP on 19 Feb 2004