Anti-fascists mobilise in Bradford

Following the success of Bradford TUC in organising opposition to the British National Party in last years Council elections, activists have begun a similar campaign in preparation for June's full council elections. On Sunday 15th volunteers were out in force carrying the anti-fascist message literally to the door, leafleting houses and talking to residents in South Bradford.

With electoral ward reorganisation every seat on Bradford Council is up for grabs and the BNP, who came within a whisker of success in Queensbury last time, are again targeting a number of areas.

Leaked sources suggest that the newly created ward of 'Royds' in South Bradford will be a key focus for the fascist party. The ward includes the former council estates of Buttershaw, Woodside and Delph Hill, areas of extreme social and economic deprivation as well as pockets of middle class private housing. It is also close to Queensbury where BNP candidate Paul Cromie was only narrowly defeated last time after gaining almost 1500 votes. Neighbouring Calderdale has also seen BNP success with three councillors elected.

The Bradford TUC strategy has been well publicised and nationally recognised. It has been based on sustained leafletting campaigns using high quality and well produced materials. Over periods of months, sustained door to door leaflet drops have provided both an effective street level anti-fascist presence and opportunity for genuine engagement and face to face communication. In areas where the traditional political parties are perceived to have disengaged and taken local support for granted, this kind of old fashioned political work has been hugely effective.

The success of this approach has in large part been down to the ability of Bradford TUC to harness the energies and commitment of activists from a variety of political and organisational backgrounds. The Trades Council has utilised its political independence to create an activist base that includes individuals from religious groups, Labour and Liberal Democrat Parties, SWP, 1 in 12 Club, non-aligned socialists, anarchist and communists as well as many others. It has also provided the funding and expertise to produce extremely high quality campaign materials.

It has also skilfully avoided the criticism levelled at Anti-Nazi League mobilisations in particular, that the activists involved are unwelcome outsiders. Building on the credibility local Trades Union Councils still possess, particularly in working class communities, the campaign has served to consolidate and empower grass roots opposition to the BNP. In Queensbury, where the BNP had real hopes of victory last year there is little doubt it made the difference.

For anyone wishing to get involved in future anti-fascist activity in Bradford or pass on information about local BNP activity, please contact:

BTUC, c/o 17-21 Chapel Street, Bradford, BD1 5DT

Email:  afc@bradfordtuc.org.uk

Phone: 0795 1162011