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More Bracknell constituents in percentage terms voted for the controversial British National party (BNP) in the European Elections than in the South East region
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Bracknell vote higher than average for BNP

By Lorna Catling
June 15, 2009

More Bracknell constituents in percentage terms voted for the controversial British National party (BNP) in the European Elections than in the South East region.

Just over one-third of those on the electoral roll turned out to vote in the borough last Friday, with 1,490 choosing the BNP to represent Bracknell, as part of the South East region in Europe.

The figure equates to 5.5 per cent of the votes cast in Bracknell, which is higher than the South East regional percentage of votes cast for the BNP of 4.4 per cent.

Andy McBride, British National Party candidate from Priestwood, said: “Everyone in Bracknell received the leaflet outlining what we stand for so it’s not that people don’t know what they’re voting for.

“We have no issue with the rest of the parties but the Labour Party are the ones shouting at us, calling us fascist Nazis on TV.”

Although it was not enough for the party to win a seat in the South East, there are now two BNP MEPs, who won their seats in Yorkshire and Humber and the North West regions.

Councillor Paul Bettison, leader of Bracknell Forest Council and environment leader of the Local Government Association (LGA), said it was important for democracy that parties of all beliefs were allowed to run for office fairly and democratically to avoid “militant” action.

He added: “A few years ago, when the BNP started winning seats on councils there was a discussion as to whether we [the LGA] would send those councillors the weekly newsletter [which goes to all councillors nationwide].

“I said at the time that we may not like the BNP and what they represent, but they are as democratically elected as any of us so if we send it to every councillor in the country, we must send it to them as well.

“If you start to differentiate like that, that person becomes a victim.”

Janet Keene, one of the Labour MEP candidates who lives in Great Hollands, said: “I am really disappointed because they really do not have an agenda for working in the European Parliament.

“As far as I am aware they do not intend to go there, so why run for a parliament if you don’t believe it should exist? It seems a waste of taxpayers’ money.

“It’s very worrying but I think the more people know about it the fewer votes they will get.”

The Conservatives were the clear winners in Bracknell, with 9,629 votes – a 36 per cent share of votes cast. In the South East and nationally they were top too.

The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) scored the second highest number of votes in the area, with 5,583, and were second in the South East and UK.

They knocked Labour into third place nationally.

Labour were fifth in Bracknell and the South East, the Lib Dems amd the Greens coming third and fourth in each area.

The BNP came sixth in each area.

Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker, a Conservative MEP candidate who lives in Crowthorne, said: “It was a fantastic result for the Conservative party and a really awful night for Labour.”

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Still nothing fron UKIP or BNP both racist scum, explain youselves

Garys
6/07/2009 at 22:30

Well UKIP person,could you answer the questions posed in my previous post,it all seems to have gone very quiet from the racist's

Garys
19/06/2009 at 12:07

For the first time I remember the King of Wheelie Bin Spin Bettison, Mr LGA environmental spokesperson, ex-Leader of the BFBC or BBC or whatever it is called today and potential replacement for MacKay has said something that makes sense. Indeed, the votes for BNP, UKIP, Greens and other up and coming parties should be recognised by all levels of the state's governing classes as the Voice of the People. Ignore them at your peril.

VoteUKIP4sure
18/06/2009 at 23:29

Firstly why is it racist to vote for the BNP.Look at their policies, Look at how many non-white people are members,listen to Nick Griffin denying the holocaust,look at thier views on mixed race relationships.As for Darth Vaders comments about WW2,who exactly were these people fighting against,people with the same ideoligies as the BNP,and whilst on the subject of WW2,what about the non UK people who died on our side 87000 from India 240'000 from Poland who also had 2,760,000 people slaughtered by the Nazi's,10,700,000 fron the Soviet Union,these people died fighting for our freedom as well,the people the BNP do not want in the country.What if all the world had BNP views there would be far more English coming back than others going out.What about the health service,this would collapse without overseas workers,what about the £3 billion a year immigrants pay more in taxes than is paid out.Answers please

Garys
16/06/2009 at 20:40

If we're looking for people with a lack of mental capacity, step forward the BNP.

JC, Woodley
16/06/2009 at 13:33

Garys, "To all the 1490 who voted BNP, you are racist scum". What if there were voters amongst the 1490 who served in WWII, would they be "racist scum" too. What about those members of the British National Party who would have served in WWII against Nazi Germany, and therefore to defend YOUR freedom. Are they "racist scum" as well? You are obviously someone (with an extrem fascist/communist outlook)that doesn't really have the mental capacity to grasp the idea of freedom.