New active BNP unit in Preston

The British National Party is to restart regular meetings in Preston this month - but leaders deny exploiting racial tension.

Roy Goodwin, the party's regional co-ordinator, says a new organiser has been appointed for the city and believes it offers fertile ground' for the party, which advocates ending immigration and withdrawal from the EU.
The party's first Preston meeting in two years has been provisionally booked for October 23, although only party members and registered supporters will be told the time and venue.

Obviously we don’t welcome BNP activity says Labour Coun John Collins
"We will be holding regular meetings and we are going to be extremely active in Preston in the next few months," said Mr Goodwin.
But he denied any intention to inflame racial tensions in the city.
"We categorically deny wishing to inflame the situation in Preston.
"I think if we do our homework between now and the next election, it is possible we will have our first councillor on Preston City Council."

The BNP fought Preston's Tulketh ward last May with candidate Anthony Bamber pulling in 280 votes, 17.67 per cent of the total, to finish third in a seat won by Labour's Jean Al-Serraj.

Mr Goodwin predicted that as many as half a dozen candidates might be put forward for the next election.
But the leader of Preston City Council predicted failure for them.

Labour Coun John Collins said: "Obviously we don't welcome BNP activity but when they stood last year they were defeated heartily in Tulketh ward and I don't see them faring any better in other areas."

Source : Preston Citizen