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BNP attempts to reach out | BNP attempts to reach out |
(about 2 hours later) | |
By Ross Hawkins BBC political correspondent | By Ross Hawkins BBC political correspondent |
Mr Griffin hopes to capture a Westminster seat at the next election | Mr Griffin hopes to capture a Westminster seat at the next election |
A sports bar and gym building on the fringes of an industrial estate outside Wigan is an unlikely setting for a political conference. | A sports bar and gym building on the fringes of an industrial estate outside Wigan is an unlikely setting for a political conference. |
It would be difficult to tell a party with two members of the European Parliament was meeting here, were it not for the police van opposite. | It would be difficult to tell a party with two members of the European Parliament was meeting here, were it not for the police van opposite. |
But the men in black ties on the door have not come to work out. They are BNP security guards. | But the men in black ties on the door have not come to work out. They are BNP security guards. |
And they have orders to keep journalists away from the bar where the conference is taking place. | And they have orders to keep journalists away from the bar where the conference is taking place. |
'Loyally assimilated' | 'Loyally assimilated' |
Leader Nick Griffin says the officials here have voted to ask the full party membership whether its constitution should be changed to allow members of ethnic minorities to join. | Leader Nick Griffin says the officials here have voted to ask the full party membership whether its constitution should be changed to allow members of ethnic minorities to join. |
He says: "To have members of loyal assimilated minorities in this country involved in the party as well, I'm sure, will actually help." | He says: "To have members of loyal assimilated minorities in this country involved in the party as well, I'm sure, will actually help." |
The change has been forced on the BNP by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. It is not clear whether the party has taken it to heart. | The change has been forced on the BNP by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. It is not clear whether the party has taken it to heart. |
In a film on its website an unnamed BNP member says he is going to demonstrate the effect of failed immigration policies. | In a film on its website an unnamed BNP member says he is going to demonstrate the effect of failed immigration policies. |
"We'll show you exactly what's going on," he says. "What you're about to see is horrific." | "We'll show you exactly what's going on," he says. "What you're about to see is horrific." |
The video then cuts to a shot of black and Asian shoppers on Wembley High Street. | The video then cuts to a shot of black and Asian shoppers on Wembley High Street. |
The party's next focus though is not a membership drive, but Mr Griffin's attempt to become an MP. He intends to fight his campaign in Barking Constituency. | |
He has stood unsuccessfully as a candidate several times before. However his election to the European Parliament this year means his campaign will attract more attention this time round. | |
Having a BNP member of the House of Commons would - of course - be a huge fillip to the party. | Having a BNP member of the House of Commons would - of course - be a huge fillip to the party. |
But the first-past-the-post system used at Westminster elections means he would need a much higher share of the vote than the 8% his party won in the North West of England to secure him a seat representing the area in the European Parliament. | But the first-past-the-post system used at Westminster elections means he would need a much higher share of the vote than the 8% his party won in the North West of England to secure him a seat representing the area in the European Parliament. |
To do that the party's message will have to be heard well beyond the sports bar hosting its conference. | To do that the party's message will have to be heard well beyond the sports bar hosting its conference. |
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