BNP rout celebrated

While unions may not be over the moon about the ousting of Labour from government, they are relieved that their actions helped secure a rout of the British National Party in last month’s elections.

Responding to the news that the BNP had been wiped out from Barking and Dagenham council, PCS civil service union general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “This is a huge victory for grassroots community organisation and solidarity, and a tribute to all those who have spent weeks and months campaigning in the borough.”

And PCS Midlands regional secretary Andrew Lloyd welcomed the fact that “not only did Simon Darby, the BNP’s number two, fail to win the Stoke Central parliamentary seat, but far-right candidates also lost seats in the city’s council election.”

They were joined by public service union UNISON’s Dave Prentis, who said: “We are in difficult political times but one thing is certain — the BNP and their message of hate has been rejected by the British public.”