Usually there's an ulterior Motive

Earlier in the week I said I was disappointed to report that the Board of Deputies of British Jews were advising members of their community not to vote for the BNP. I revealed how one Ruth Smeeth was spearheading this campaign.

At the time I was under the impression that Ruth was just an ordinary member of the Jewish community concerned (however misguided this may have been) over the British National Party's surge in popularity, but of course that wasn't the case. In politics there is usually another reason why things happen, other than the initial impression the public is persuaded to take on board.

Ruth Smeeth just happens to be the Labour's Party Parliamentary candidate for Burton and another reason why she's launched this campaign is to stop the British National Party from gaining a foothold in the town itself.

In an article for the left-wing Labour magazine Progress, Ruth appeals to the Tories, Liberal Democrats and members of her own party to combat the BNP in the constituency by addressing voters' genuine and legitimate concerns about immigration, crime and anti-social behaviour.

Apparently she was worried by the recent Stretton ward by-election result for East Staffordshire Borough Council by-election. There, although the Tories held the seat comfortably, the 'story of the night' was that the BNP came a close third, with candidate Clive Jones notching 327 votes to Labour's 366.

Ruth said the two main parties had 'failed to anticipate' the recent council by-election result, which saw their share of the vote fall while BNP's climbed to 18.2 per cent.

"We need to engage in the debate and acknowledge the concerns of the community, explaining why immigration is positive and community cohesion is a noble goal," she told the local newspaper.

"If we don't take on this fight, we are letting the BNP win an argument that is already starting to have a detrimental impact on our society."

The weather has hit my football this afternoon with Reds game at home to Worcester City called off last night because of a waterlogged pitch. Still I'm not too concerned as I'm in the final phase of finishing Freedom which needs to go to the printers next week.