Voters say no to BNP May 2 2003

By Mike Hornby Daily Post Staff


The British National Party was last night routed in the polls on Merseyside.

The far right group was soundly beaten in all six wards it fought.

In Liverpool, the BNP managed to secure just 1.2pc of the electorate's votes, with Michael Sheil polling just 92 votes in Kensington.

In Liverpool's St Mary's ward, Ray Malone collected 120 votes, while Joseph Owens picked up 150 votes in Anfield.

The BNP's sole candidate in Knowsley, Gary Aronsson, managed to attract only 83 votes in Kirkby's Cherryfield ward.

Stephen Smeltzer received 102 votes in Tranmere and just 226 people voted for Mike McDermott in Southport's Norwood ward.

But, elsewhere in the North West, the BNP picked up seats in Lancashire where the party gained a foothold last year.

BNP leader Nick Griffin failed in his attempt to gain a place on Oldham council.

The humiliating defeat for the BNP on Merseyside came after it emerged the police are investigating the party's election tactics in Liverpool.

The far-right party posted leaflets in Anfield and Kensington targeting an organisation which has been helping asylum-seekers find jobs.

The BNP leaflet carries the slogan: "Don't get angry - get even".

It then urges people to vote for them in the elections.