BNP given marching orders (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

BNP given marching orders

8:38am Friday 4th May 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

The BNP skulked out of last night's elections with their tails between their legs.

The three candidates standing in Gorse Hill and Pinehurst, Parks and Penhill were all soundly defeated at the Oasis Leisure Centre.

They left without speaking after winning just 212 votes in Gorse Hill and Pinehurst, 223 votes in Parks and 162 in Penhill ward.

advertisement Penhill councillor David Glaholm said the party was a scurge on the town and he was glad to see the back of them. He said: "I'm really pleased to see them in fourth place in Penhill.

"It is encouraging to see that people who did not vote for the major parties chose not to vote for the BNP.

"They keep blaming ethnic minorities for society's problems and that is patently untrue.

"Unfortunately, there are those out there who believe the rubbish they speak and that is why I'm glad they have no further platform with which to express themselves."

Council leader Roderick Bluh said: "We are absolutely delighted. We don't want their politics in Swindon.

"They have a right to their views but their methods are at best questionable."

Moredon ward councillor Maureen Caton said she would take a break from politics after 20 years' service.

The Labour councillor lost to Conservative candidate Stephanie Exell.

She said: "I'm bitterly disappointed to have lost but you have to respect the wishes of the people of Moredon.

"I have been very proud to serve the local community and you can rest assured that the Labour party will be fighting at next year's election."

Mrs Caton said she hoped the new incumbent's actions would match her election pledges.

She said: "There is a lot of work to be done in Moredon and I hope she has the strength to meet the challenge."