They range from parish council seats to those on some of the biggest councils in our region. Last year the party only fielded one West candidate in Swindon. And opponents have claimed the party is deliberately exploiting racial tensions in an attempt to gain a political foothold.They range from parish council seats to those on some of the biggest councils in our region. Last year the party only fielded one West candidate in Swindon. And opponents have claimed the party is deliberately exploiting racial tensions in an attempt to gain a political foothold.

But this time around it is fighting for three seats in each of Bristol, North Wiltshire, Swindon and South Gloucestershire and two in B &NES.

It is also fielding candidates in rural seats in North Devon and South Somerset, and town councils in Calne and Corsham. Earlier the party month it won a place on Corsham Town Council, its first seat in the South West.



The BNP is again trying to get a political foothold in Swindon putting forward three candidates for the May 3 borough council election.

Chris Southgate, Ken Waters and Reg Bates will fight for seats in Gorse Hill and Pinehurst, Parks and Penhill.

The party whipped up a storm of controversy last year when it fielded Mr Bates.

A backlash group called Swindon Against Fascism campaigned against the BNP before Mr Bates came third place in the borough's Gorse Hill and Pinehurst ward.

Wiltshire BNP chairman Mike Howsman said: "Our support is growing every year and that's why we're putting forward more candidates across the West this year. This is because the electorate have asked us to run and because we have the people who want to stand.
"Reg Bates came third last year, beating the Lib Dems, which was a great result. Our candidates would do a fantastic job if they were elected. They would be public servants providing a civic duty to the people in their wards putting them before their own personal interests.

"People who protest against the BNP putting forward candidates have already lost the argument and are just being silly.

"Everyone has a right to vote for who they want so it would be electoral fascism to deny us candidates."
The party shocked West residents in November by trying to recruit children from outside school gates across West and North Wiltshire, including Trowbridge.

The recruitment drive was seen as exploiting racial tensions after the influx of 3,000 Polish workers into the market town of Trowbridge. In February the BNP angered police and residents by sending out patrols to tackle anti-social behaviour.

BNP members in Wiltshire walked the streets in the market town of Corsham to confront groups of yobs. Police and local politicians said the BNP were vigilantes and the town did not have a problem with anti-social behaviour.

The Swindon Racial Equality Council says it will be keeping a close eye on the organisation during the election.

Council director Jaginder Bassi said: "As a political party they are entitled to take part in the elections.

"But we're concerned that they don't use misinformation or racial stereotypes which could lead to aggravation in areas like Swindon.

"I hope they do things in a reserved manner and don't use loose words in their campaign which could ignite conflicts.

http://www.westpress.co.uk/displayNo...pNodeId=145833

Some good points in the article to what our members are doing on the ground.

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Living under the tyranny of a Labour government.