Labour crush BNP in Dalton
Last updated at 15:39, Friday, 11 December 2009
THE mainstream Labour Party comfortably repelled a challenge from the British National Party in a by-election.
Teacher Dan Martin won the vacant Dowdales ward seat on Dalton Town Council by 344 votes to 56.
But the BNP’s Furness organiser Mike Ashburner still received more votes than Labour’s ‘guesstimate’ of 30 in what was a high turn-out for a local election.Police officers were on duty as around 20 members of Unite Against Fascism gathered outside Chapel Street Infant School for a peaceful protest 90 minutes before polling closed at 10pm last night.
But Mr Ashburner, accompanied by two fellow party members who did not wish to be named, arrived by another entrance.
His rival’s small entourage included John Woodcock, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Barrow and Furness, and Councillor Dave Pidduck, the Labour group leader on Barrow Borough Council.
It took 25 minutes for the votes to be counted.
The result was announced by Barrow Borough Council chief executive, Tom Campbell.
Mr Martin, who lives in Dalton and teaches at George Hastwell School on Walney, said: “I am very pleased the people of Dalton have come out in good numbers and told the BNP that they don’t want them here, that they are not welcome.
“They want positive policies from people that are going to work for something positive, with the message that Dalton will remain an inclusive and welcoming town.
“It was also a positive vote for Labour and I am looking forward to concentrating on issues like parking, pavements, street lights – the nitty-gritty of what town councillors should be looking at and sorting out for local people.”
Mr Woodcock said: “Dan is going to be a cracking town councillor. I know how hard he will work for the people of Dalton. It is a brilliant choice.
“This was a positive vote for Labour and also showed that people don’t want the kind of politics the BNP stands for.”
Paul Jenkins, North West regional organiser for United Against Fascism, also said it was a pleasing outcome.
Mr Ashburner, who lives in Barrow, told the Evening Mail he had not been discouraged by the outcome and that his party would continue to fight any vacant seats up to the general election.
The BNP caused controversy in the build-up to the election by claiming there were plans to build a mosque and wanted to tackle the “Islamification of Dalton”.
Mr Ashburner said: “We had quite a bit of support on that issue. A lot of people were concerned about it and we got a few votes.
“It was our first time in Dalton and an interesting first attempt, well worth it.
“We will fight every election that comes up, certainly. The Labour Party wanted to co-opt on to the council and the BNP called the election. It was a bit of an exercise to get ready for the general election.”
First published at 13:00, Friday, 11 December 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Well Done Mike. A good first effort. I can't believe there are still people voting for a party that has not only destroyed this country, but sends our brave, innocent lads and lasses to their deaths in an illegal Afghanistan war. Shame on you!
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James P: Good point, and one which will no doubt be played down, the apathy of the voters is staggering. Also, would like to add how come the UAF were allowed to intimidate people? we all know now they are mindless violent thugs (as was seen outside of the BBC) so why were they not arrested? If the Taliban had done a similar trick during Afghan/Iraq elections our PC muppets would have been up in arms!! I don't support the BNP, but the UAF are ten times worse if you don't agree with them they beat you up!
Posted by Mike on 16 December 2009 at 07:43