- Conference
- 2008 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 15 September 2007
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes the British National Party (BNP) is a fascist organisation that denies the Holocaust and multiculturalism. It stands for creating an all white Britain, the destruction of trade unions and the elimination of basic democratic rights. The BNP has 49 councillors and polled a record 292,911 votes in May 2007.
The May 2008 London Assembly and local council elections, and a possible general election, will require a huge mobilisation of voters opposed to fascism if the BNP is to be stopped from gaining any more seats. In 2004, the BNP came within 0.1% of being elected in the London Assembly. Winning a London Assembly seat would boost the BNP’s national profile.
The BNP is primarily making its electoral advance through exploiting issues of racism. To stop the BNP, conference believes campaigning has to be stepped up across society against all aspects of racism: in defence of multiculturalism; in opposition to the vilification of refugees and asylum seekers, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.
There has been a 30% increase in racist and violent attacks associated with BNP activities since the BNP targeted Barking and Dagenham, where it now has 12 councillors.
Fascism’s inherent homophobia and threat to disabled people means that anti-fascist campaigning must promote inclusion of all groups that are threatened by, and oppose fascism.
Conference instructs the National Black Members Committee (NBMC) to work with the National Executive Council (NEC) and regions to:
1.Continue to promote anti-BNP work amongst Black members and support Unite Against Fascism and Love Music and Hate Racism to challenge the rise of the BNP;
2.Run a campaign to encourage Black members to turn out to vote in the elections.