Rivals unite over BNP threat
THE British National Party is hoping to sweep into Redbridge Town Hall at next year's elections.
London organiser Bob Bailey and sole Redbridge councillor Julian Leppert are banking on the electorate's disillusionment with the mainstream parties.
Mr Bailey said 20 candidates would fight for votes in a bid to replicate their strength in Barking and Dagenham,
where they have 12 members.
The far right party hopes to capitalise on the rift in the Tory group that saw a number of members quit.
He said: "The average Redbridge person will not vote. The expenses scandal and the ineffectiveness of the Tories and Labour will work in our favour for those wanting to protest."
Hainault Cllr Julian Leppert said: "It is all to play for."
But the borough's political establishment is united against them.
Tory and Labour leaders say they are determined not to lose seats to the BNP.
Labour leader Cllr Elaine Norman said: "I am always worried about them; I think they have a very negative influence.
"We will be fighting hard to keep them out."
Tory boss Cllr Keith Prince said: "No one could have done less for the borough than the current member.
"Voters should realise the BNP has nothing to offer them - a party that does nothing and says nothing."
Labour MP for Ilford South, Mike Gapes, said: "I hope the people of Redbridge have far more sense and will unite to reject the BNP's poisonous lies."
His Ilford North counterpart Lee Scott said: "We are determined to make sure they will not do well - in fact in 12 months' time they could even have lost their one Redbridge representative."
The BNP also has an eye on the Parliamentary seat soon to be vacated by Leyton and Wanstead MP Harry Cohen.
But Gerry Gable of anti-fascism magazine Searchlight said: "Julian Leppert has not performed well, I don't see them as a major threat for Redbridge."
The British National Party has not enjoyed a great deal of success in Redbridge elections.
Local elections, 2006:
Jason Paul Douglas came last out of 10 candidates in Chadwell ward with 624 votes. Turnout was 38.4 per cent.
Anthony Young came fourth in Fairlop ward, when three Tories were elected, with 689 votes.
Turnout was 37.4 per cent.
Julian Leppert was elected in Hainault ward, taking the most votes - 1,150. Turnout was 38.3 per cent.
Bridge ward by-election, 2006:
Daniel Warville came second and missed out on election with 857 votes. Turnout was 30.3 per cent.
Cranbrook ward by-election, 2008:
Anthony Young finished last with just 37 votes.
Turnout was 30.5 per cent.
Wanstead ward by-election, 2009:
John Alfred Evans came second last with 171 votes. Turnout was 40.7 per cent.
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