Britain First is not standing in Littlemoor and Preston.
The candidate lists for the unitary elections came out today, and the news for the people of Littlemoor and Preston is that Britain First is not standing.
Britain First is a far right organisation led by people convicted of serious crimes. Last year its leading members were jailed for harassment and abuse, and Facebook closed its online page for carrying “hate speech”. Britain First has a long record of invading mosques and threatening Muslims. It’s this that encourages violence like the murder of 50 women, men and children at prayer in New Zealand. Like the Nazis of old, Britain First sows suspicion and hatred.
The person who announced he would be candidate describes himself as a fascist in the publication of the New British Union, Blackshirt, which admires Oswald Mosley (Nazi supporter and the leader of the British Fascists of the 30s and 40s). The prospective candidate was a regional officer for the New British Union.
Britain First had targeted Littlemoor and Preston because it believed it could exploit the problems of the community caused by cuts and austerity. It thought it could gain support by blaming Muslims and other minorities. But the community rejected them.
In response to the threat of Britain First standing, and in response to the concerns of local residents, Stand Up To Racism Dorset was hastily formed. Local residents and local representatives of all the political parties took the initiative to call meetings at St Francis of Assisi church. It was a measure of peoples’ concern that so many local residents responded. On Saturday 23 March about 50 people came to deliver leaflets to all households in Littlemoor.
The candidate described himself as a Christian, and had undergone training in the Church of England. The response of the church was quick and decisive, resulting in the candidate being denied the role of Lay Pastoral Assistant for which he was training. The Bishop of Sherborne made it clear that membership of a far right racist organisation, such as Britain First, is incompatible with membership of the church.
We do not know why they decided not to stand, despite having spent time leafletting all round the ward. Clearly they felt they were not welcome. This time the people of Littlemoor and Preston saw them off. We do not know if they will be back – but Stand Up To Racism Dorset is not going away.
David Rhodes
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