Unsurprisingly the BNP is to challenge Tory leader Michael Howard at the next election.


From the Folkestone Herald. Feb 26th.

"The BNP has pledged to put up a candidate in Folkestone in order to unseat sitting
MP Michael Howard.
Spokesman Phil Edwards said the party is hoping that an anti-Howard vote would allow
the Liberal Democrat candidate to prosper.
The BNP has yet to select a candidate.
Mr Edwards alledged that anti-BNP remarks made by Mr Howard in Burnley,Lancs,last week
were 'ungentlemanly'. "

The BNP may have a possible candidate. The following also appeared as a letter in
the same local paper this week. Entitled'A common belief?

"Concerning the Honourale Michael Howard's rash statement about the BNP on his visit
to their constituency on February 19, saying they are a bunch of politica thugs.
Does belief and patriotism in our country, warrant being called thugs?
Most of the political parties have flaws and though I voted for Mr Howard for his
constituency in Folkestone, I would certainly think hard before voting again for
him.
There are views concerning immigration in all parties,and in quantity weigh high.
Are they lumped as a bunch of thugs.
Are the BNP views totallt to be dismissed? Mr Howard should get bis act together,
and realise,thugs walk in all forms of life 'high and low'.
THis country needs change and our people should be studied,put to the fore,not to
the back of the queue,which in so many cases often happens.
Is sticking up for our people's rights,'discrimination'? Far too much is made of
this word,and it has now come about,that we are held over a barrel."

M.Dunlop, Folkestone.

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Have reprinted the letter verbatim, It may have been edited down but Mr Dunlop's
confusion and racism shine through none the less.

I understand from a local that current BNP activity consists of placing their
anti-asylum leaflets in a toilet in the town- in the toilet paper rack!
(very appropriate).
Further:
There is a very small number of refugees and asylum seekers in Folkestone nowadays
some Iraqis,Kurds, Balkan Roma and other eastern Europeans. (most of those from
the Czech Republic were sent back and the Iraqi's and Kurds are under threat of
deporting).
There is currently an old police station being converted into an asylum detention and
reporting centre in Folkestone near the central rail station.(it was sprayed with
anti aslum graffitti for a while ).

When (if?) the BNP will get it's act together remains to be seen,but there is an
up coming conference (South East Regional neo Labour) in Folkestone (April 17 & 18).
They may try to target it. In which case I hope Anti racist and anti fascist groups
(among others)will be around to counter it.

Turn up in Folkestone in April anyway to protest against Bliar and Howard. !