Hundreds join MP's protest against BNP

HUNDREDS of signatures were gathered against the British National Party at a demonstration in Llanelli.

Organisers of the petition, which saw town MP Nia Griffith and trade union and Labour Party activists take to the streets, said more than 200 signatures were collected in less than an hour.

The demonstration followed reports of increased activity by the BNP in the Llanelli area.

Alun Davies AM said: "There are real concerns in Llanelli about the BNP and the views its supporters represent. The response in the town was extremely positive — and shows that the people of Llanelli will continue to stand up for fairness and freedom for all." One of the organisers, Suzy Curry, said: "We had a petition so that people could sign that they want to say no to racism and take a strong stand against the BNP.

The number of signatures passed the 200 mark in less than an hour."

Nia Griffith MP, who spoke on the same theme in the St David's Day debate in Parliament, said: "I am pleased to see such a positive response to our demonstration.

"We must take a strong stand against racist groups whose agenda is to breed fear and hatred and to create scapegoats, and who seem to have money to spend on very deceptive, glossy leaflets.

"There must be no place for racism and scapegoating in our society."

Meanwhile, Ms Griffith has asked the secretary of state to investigate rumours that contractors working on big infrastructure projects, such as the gas pipeline or the construction of the power station in Pembrokeshire, are taking on foreign workers.

Mr Griffith said: "I have asked him to find out if and why foreign workers are being taken on.

"If it is happening because employers think they can get away with shoddier terms and conditions — lower pay and fewer rights — that needs to be sorted out.

"I was pleased to hear the minister's reassurances that he will do his utmost to make sure that the majority of those employed come from the local labour market, but I shall be continuing to pursue this issue vigorously."

A spokesman for the BNP said: "We heard that the petition didn't go down too well at all and they had difficulty obtaining signatures. It is a very negative campaign by the Labour party which shows how desperate they are.

"It was purely an anti-BNP tactic and not for any policies or lack of policies that they have."

He insisted that support for the BNP was growing, with recent meetings in Cross Hands and Bridgend being well attended.

"There's no question that support is growing locally, nationally and throughout the country.

"People are finally waking up to all the lies and corruption. People have had enough."