Man Woman Ethno

MCP · Guest

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/07/thefarright.labour

The ruling party failed to make the case against racism and xenophobia,
pandering instead of standing on principle

On Wednesday evening around 7pm, the Reverend Roger Gayler, vicar of St
Marks parish, went to answer a knock on the door. It was the night before
the Chadwell Heath byelection for Barking and Dagenham council in Greater
London, and Gayler had recently written an open letter to his flock.

"I rarely enter the party political arena and do so very reluctantly, but as
a matter of Christian principle I feel this time I must," he wrote. "The
[British National party] would divide our community, spread fear through
lies, and reduce services to those in our community who most need them (they
proposed huge cuts in services for the elderly and young people in their
budget). They preach the politics of hate."

The man at the door was Robert Bailey, BNP leader on the council. He was
clearly agitated. "He asked me whether I'd written it," recalls Gayler. "I
said 'yes'."

"This goes against the democratic process," said Bailey.

"It's all part of the democratic process," replied Gayler.---