BNP leader to fight Keighley seat
Nick Griffin, leader of the British National Party, is set to contest the West Yorkshire seat of Keighley at the next general election.
The seat is currently held by Labour’s Ann Cryer seat, who won the 2001 election with a 4,005 majority.
Last night, Mr Griffin described Keighley as one of the party’s “best hopes.”
“It certainly is sensitive and that is why it’s important there is the most credible possible outlet for people’s concerns and anxieties,” he said.
Mrs Cryer said a vote for the BNP was a vote for racism and fascism.
David Davis, MP for Haltemprice and Howden and Shadow Home Secretary said he was confident the Keighley electorate would reject the BNP leader.
“Mr Griffin represents a despicable party and a despicable set of views, but it is his right to stand wherever he wants.
“The parties that oppose his racist attitudes should use the opportunity to expose what he stands for and demonstrate that this country’s future lies in tolerance not in rabble-rousing.”
The BNP won about 5,000 votes in the Keighley area in local elections last year, returning eight BNP local councillors in West Yorkshire.
The right-wing party said it would officially launch its election campaign in the coming weeks.
Mr Griffin, a Cambridge graduate, is on bail after being arrested last month on suspicion of incitement to commit racial hatred.
