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BNP secures two European seats BNP secures two European seats
(about 1 hour later)
BNP leader Nick Griffin has been elected to the European Parliament as the party won its first two seats.BNP leader Nick Griffin has been elected to the European Parliament as the party won its first two seats.
Mr Griffin was elected for the North West region while Andrew Brons picked up another BNP seat in Yorkshire and Humber, where it won 10% of the vote.Mr Griffin was elected for the North West region while Andrew Brons picked up another BNP seat in Yorkshire and Humber, where it won 10% of the vote.
Mr Griffin said the BNP was not racist but spoke for "ordinary people" neglected by other parties. Mr Griffin said the BNP was not racist, but gained votes from other parties because it "spoke openly about the problem of immigration."
Labour and the Tories expressed their dismay at the result, saying it was a "sad moment" for British politics. Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman described the BNP result as "terrible".
'Great victory''Great victory'
Mr Griffin was elected to Brussels even though the BNP polled fewer votes in the region than it had in 2004. Mr Griffin was elected to Brussels even though the BNP polled fewer votes in the region than it had in 2004 - but the slump in Labour support meant its share of the vote increased.
This meant that although the BNP came fifth in the popular vote in the region the party won a seat through the system of proportional representation used in the European elections.
BNP leader Nick Griffin says his party has claimed a "great victory"BNP leader Nick Griffin says his party has claimed a "great victory"
The BNP came fifth in the popular vote in the region but won a seat through the system of proportional representation used in the European elections. Mr Griffin told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme: "There's a huge amount of racism in this country, overwhelmingly it is directed towards the indigenous British majority, which is one reason we've done so well in these elections."
"It is a great victory," Mr Griffin said, adding that his party stood up for "indigenous people" who were victims of racial discrimination. He said "the indigenous majority [were] the second-class citizens in every possible sphere, not as a consequence of the immigrants themselves, but because our ruling elite has made them second-class citizens."
"We go on from here." "The Labour Party, the Lib Dems and the Tories, by leaving the door to Britain open, has forced people to turn to a party which speaks openly about the problem of immigration and says that while there might be a few good things about it there's also a lot of bad things."
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said the BNP's success was down to the failure of other parties, not because it had appealed to many more people. 'People's fears'
He added that the BNP had appeared to take votes off Labour, whose total vote fell by more than 200,000. With Labour suffering its worst post-war election result across the regions, Ms Harman said: "I think it's a terrible thing that we've now got representing Britain in the European parliament a party that is a racist party, a party that doesn't believe black people should even be allowed to join this party.
The BNP won more than 120,139 votes in the Yorkshire region, slightly less than in 2004, but enough to take one of the six seats on offer in the region. "What extremist, far right, racist parties like the British National Party do is that they exploit people's fears and if people are worried about their future they turn inwards.
Successful candidate Andrew Brons, a retired university lecturer, acknowledged that his victory would not be "universally popular". "The British National Party have played on people's fears ...and we'll have to work to tackle the fear that lead to people to vote BNP."
Despite the headlines, money and misrepresentation, we have managed to win through Andrew Brons, BNPDespite the headlines, money and misrepresentation, we have managed to win through Andrew Brons, BNP
The BNP won more than 120,139 votes in the Yorkshire region, slightly less than in 2004, but enough to take one of the six seats on offer in the region.
Successful candidate Andrew Brons acknowledged that his victory would not be "universally popular".
He said the party, which is accused by its opponents of stirring racial hatred, something it denies, had survived an "onslaught" by the media and the political classes during the campaign.He said the party, which is accused by its opponents of stirring racial hatred, something it denies, had survived an "onslaught" by the media and the political classes during the campaign.
"Despite the headlines, money and misrepresentation, we have managed to win through," he said."Despite the headlines, money and misrepresentation, we have managed to win through," he said.
The election was the "first step" towards the UK removing itself from the "EU dictatorship", he added.The election was the "first step" towards the UK removing itself from the "EU dictatorship", he added.
Car attackedCar attacked
Labour said the victories were a "sad moment" for British politics.
"It is not a good night for anybody who campaigns against racism in politics," said Health Secretary Andy Burnham.
Mainstream parties must "understand" why people had voted for the BNP, Mr Burnham said, and must "painstakingly" work to win back support.
The results showed voters were worried about immigration issues and that these concerns did need to be addressed, he added.
The Conservatives said the BNP victories were a "terribly sad moment" and that mainstream parties needed to "rethink" how they countered the BNP's arguments.The Conservatives said the BNP victories were a "terribly sad moment" and that mainstream parties needed to "rethink" how they countered the BNP's arguments.
"All politicians should be asking themselves 'how did we allow this to happen?'," said the party's defence secretary Liam Fox."All politicians should be asking themselves 'how did we allow this to happen?'," said the party's defence secretary Liam Fox.
Andy Burnham says the win will "redouble our determination to take them out"
The BNP targeted the North West during the campaign, having had earlier success in local council elections.The BNP targeted the North West during the campaign, having had earlier success in local council elections.
It won one of its three English county council seats in Burnley in Thursday's elections.It won one of its three English county council seats in Burnley in Thursday's elections.
As Mr Griffin arrived at the North West count - held in Manchester's town hall - on Sunday, his car was surrounded by noisy protesters, who broke one of its windows.As Mr Griffin arrived at the North West count - held in Manchester's town hall - on Sunday, his car was surrounded by noisy protesters, who broke one of its windows.
Mr Griffin was forced to return later and enter the building by the back entrance, accompanied by several minders.Mr Griffin was forced to return later and enter the building by the back entrance, accompanied by several minders.
Police said one man was arrested in scuffles when Mr Griffin tried to get into the building.Police said one man was arrested in scuffles when Mr Griffin tried to get into the building.
Did you vote for the BNP? What do you make of this result? Are you surprised by the outcome? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below.Did you vote for the BNP? What do you make of this result? Are you surprised by the outcome? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below.
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