Not in our name

It is a huge disappointment that the far right, racist British National Party has won two seats in the European Parliament and three county council seats. The politics of hate do not belong in any parliament or council, they belong in the gutter.

The BNP does not speak for me, nor does it speak for the overwhelming majority of people in this country. The mainstream political parties must now start re-connecting with ordinary voters and address their fears. A failure of those parties resulted in many people staying home and allowing the BNP in through the back door.

These are difficult times with anger directed at our politicians and a growing recession devastating people's lives.

However, this union, and millions who share our values will continue to stand for what is right and decent, to celebrate diversity and tolerance, and we will not waiver in our campaign against the BNP.

I urge everyone to sign the Hope not hate petition: