CHELMSFORD: Residents upset by BNP leaflet
VILLAGERS and townspeople have complained to Chelmsford Borough Council after propaganda for the far-right British National Party was distributed with a council newsletter.
Chelmsford and Writtle residents were shocked to find the leaflets apparently delivered with the summer edition of Borough Life, when it popped through letterboxes this week.
However, the council said that the unfortunate situation arose because of the distribution service and stressed the borough council's neutrality in the upcoming county and European elections.
Solicitor William Seymour, of Chelmsford, said: "What is disturbing is the fact that the BNP leaflet arrived through my letterbox inside Chelmsford Borough Council's newsletter.
"I don't know whether this was a conscious decision of the borough council but even if it wasn't, the council is now tainted by association.
"The other worrying point about the BNP leaflet being tucked inside the council's newsletter is that it removed the choice of the individual postal workers to refuse to deliver it, as they have done in other parts of the country.
"I have read the leaflet and it is very cleverly worded to ensure that it does not break any of the laws that we are fortunate enough to have in this country prohibiting incitement to racial hatred. But to my mind the racist message the BNP are peddling in their leaflet is clear."
Royal Mail bosses have said that postal workers do not have to deliver the election leaflets if they feel morally obliged not to do so.
Jimmy Johns, of St John's Green, Writtle, said: "I completely understand why there is confusion. What the council should do is contact the mailing company and make it clear that their publication shouldn't be delivered alongside political propaganda from any party."
Personal assistant Katharyn Howchen, 22, of Amcotes Place said: "It's not the best thing for a council to attach themselves to when they should maintain impartiality."
A borough council spokeswoman confirmed complaints had been received but said the situation was out of its hands and down to the way Royal Mail's leaflet distribution service operated.
She said: "We do not endorse any political party or indeed any company whose leaflets may be distributed with our own.
"It's a question of striking a balance between keeping people informed and keeping down costs, and using the Royal Mail's distribution service is the most cost-effective solution.
"If we changed the way the Life paper is delivered, there is no guarantee that the same thing wouldn't happen again, with another political party's leaflets."







22 Comments
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by dave crawford, little badow
Tuesday, October 20 2009, 2:10PM
“Just two points: there are many M.Ps in parliment that have a dodgy past... Most of them now are just financial crooks. So let`s not be silly and think B.N.P. members are bad because a few of their spokesmen have siad racist things that shock some people,
I just want us to get rid of these crooks that we keep voting in every 19 years or so ! if it means voting for a small party then so be it. The lives of the poor are a misery under these crooks. No one can be more crooked or nasty then this current lot in all three main parties.”
by Mark Pearson, Chelmsford
Monday, June 08 2009, 3:39PM
“I'll bet these same villagers would not have complained if the leaflet had been form the communist party or an Islamicist party.
Common sense should tell you that some sort of mix up occurred and that the leaflet was not endorsed by Chelmsford B C.
Yes, we are, just about under Labour, a democracy and the BNP, although NAzi at heart, have every right to campaign and make their message known during elections as any other party. Although I do not like the BNP one little bit, I am far more concerned, as should we all be, at the rise of Islam in our nation - that poses a far greater threat to us all than the BNP.”
by Lee, chelmsford
Thursday, June 04 2009, 9:36AM
“I dont see why the BNP should not be allowed to send out leaflets, the same as any other party. Freedom of speech is the one thing that our country can be proud of yet this priviledge seems to be deserting us. Just because you dont agree with someones opinion doesnt make them wrong. I think political correctness has gone mad and people are scared of having their own views incase they areb falsley accused of being racist or a facist. If all parties arent allowed to campaign then how are we suppose to form an educated decision. People just have to accept that we dont live in a eutopia of aerian race and i for one dont want to. Freedom of speech is what makes this country great to dont deny people their right of it.”
by EmmaGoldmann, chelmsford
Saturday, May 30 2009, 6:42AM
“Be under no illusion about the double standards of the BNP. They are cleverly using the current political/economic climate to gain support from the traditional white British working class. They will use the white working class as foot soldiers to breed hatred and fear across poorer areas of this country - whilst using any help and money they can get from rich and influential 'non-British' organisations and businesses. They will not defend the white working class if anything goes wrong. It is time their legitimacy as a political party was exposed for the racist/facist reality it truly is.”
by Red, chelmsford
Saturday, May 30 2009, 6:36AM
“Be under no illusion that the BNP is legitimate alternative to mainstream political parties. The BNP will use white working class Britain as foot soldiers in their racist battle - creating fear and division amongst people in poorer/traditional working class council estates - whilst their leaders will have double standards - taking and using help and money from 'any non-british' backer and business. I think it's time their legitimacy as a political alternative was exposed and challenged.”
by Michaela, Essex
Friday, May 29 2009, 10:58AM
“This is the last comment I shall make on this story as I believe it is "done" as far as I am concerned. However, I must make some facts quite plain. Craig, I think everyone knows how you feel so how about dropping it now? You clearly have a personal vendetta but keep it at home. You have shared it enough. Regarding your comments that racism is not rife against whites, I beg to differ. To this day, my husband is refused jobs and it is quite evident (and has, indeed, been said at interviews) that it is his accent that is unacceptable. He is English. I would also like to point out however that British employers have been equally as guilty of this disgraceful attitude as other nationals, yet these very people employ people who can barely speak English. That is prejudiced against people like my husband who is from the north of the country and is totally unacceptable. Obviously, there are many people out there who have suffered terrible prejudice by blacks/other white foreign nationals and fee desperate for help, which no-one else gives them. People like you make life for the rest of us very difficult by trying to block every avenue open to us for support at any level you can. That is all I have to say on this subject.”
by Craig Shakespear, Brentwood
Thursday, May 28 2009, 10:10PM
“It's well known that there is A LOT of dissent within BNP ranks about Jews and Asians/Blacks being members. I have looked at the manifesto and it quite clearly states "offer generous grants to those of foreign descent resident here who wish to leave". In other words kick em out.”
by Malcolm, Chelmsford
Thursday, May 28 2009, 9:13PM
“Craig, get off the bandwagon!
If you'd bothered to read the BNP's manifesto, you'd have read that the BNP doesn't want to repatriate all non-Whites. In fact some of their candidates are British born Asians etc. The BNP will never be a major force, but their increasing vote will push the leading parties to get their collective heads out of the sand and re think their own policies on British Jobs for British People etc.”
by LOUISE, basildon
Thursday, May 28 2009, 6:09PM
“yes my friends do know i vote bnp. and its my choice, i do not hide the fact. the uk has gone to the dogs and its about time that someone stood up.”
by Matt, Chelmsford
Thursday, May 28 2009, 4:24PM
“This is the first time that I've been able to use my vote and will be using it very wisely by voting for the BNP and so will a number of my friends! This is suppose to be democracy, without the media creating a smear campaign against the BNP!”