Bully boy tactics exposes true face of anti-BNP brigade

THE mistakes of our opponents seem to be multiplying by the day as they seek to try to stem the progress of the British National Party, and a prime example of this has just been revealed this morning.

The Hampstead and Highgate Express gave £5,000 to the Exceptional People in Camden awards, which celebrates the work of community volunteers but now the Camden Council has decided to give the money back and look for alternative sponsors because the newspaper carried an advertisement for the British National Party in the run-up to the local and GLA elections.

The newspaper has been heavily involved with the awards, including running publicity stories, and was due to be represented on the judging panel but now it looks certain that this invitation will be withdrawn also.

It's a pathetic decision, which penalises those working hard within the community, and its a political decision as a spokesman for Camden Council openly admitted:
"Camden Council has now made the difficult decision to end its sponsorship agreement. This followed strong concerns raised by the local councillors across the political spectrum," he told the Hold the Front Page website.

Ham & High editor Geoff Martin, summed up the feelings of many when he said:
"It seems to be a decision that was taken without consultation with us. I would say it's a spineless decision.
"I am supposed to believe no undue political pressure was exerted? I am sure there has been.
"This decision has blemished the awards irreversibly."

Gone is the subtle approach of the anti-BNP brigade, which in the past gently exerted its influence to get its message across.

Now it is open bully boy tactics and that is certain to backfire and expose them for what they really are.

There was a good letter in the Worcester News on Friday exploiting another Labour 'own goal' under the heading "Just who are you calling abhorrent?". Lee Hancock from Evesham wrote:

"SIR - In regard to Roger Berry's comments that the people of Gorse Hill had rejected the British National Party and "its abhorrent policies". Can I remind Coun Berry that the BNP polled 21 per cent of the vote in Gorse Hill. He is therefore branding almost a quarter of his constituents as abhorrent.
"This is graphic illustration of the contempt with which Labour holds the British people and just how out of touch with public opinion they really are. The British National Party has 10 new councillors. Labour has lost almost 300. Perhaps Mr Berry should look a little closer to home in regards to which political party the British electorate truly finds abhorrent."

It was a day in the garden yesterday preparing the ground for some "Cumbrian Turf" arriving from Kirkbride this morning. My back is paying the price for all those exertions but I must steel myself to get the job finished. The weather was brilliant and it seems as though it's going to be more of the same today.

At the weekend our eldest daughter comes home from a year's stint in Cairo as part of her university course. Twelve months ago she left our lovely town house overlooking Silloth Green and her own bedroom and own bathroom on the top floor. She's coming back to a home one-third the size and to sharing a bedroom with her sixteen year-old brother (Just a short term arrangement while the garage is converted). It's going to be a culture shock for her and I'm hoping that a nice green lawn after all the concrete of Cairo, will help to soften the blow.