Vote to keep out the politics of hate - European elections 4 June - Why we need to vote

by John Stevenson and Malcolm Burns

At a time when people are more disillusioned with politicians than ever before, it would be easy to say ‘a plague on all their houses’ and vote for none of them.

But the danger is that a vote for nobody could end up being a vote for the BNP on 4 June. ‘So make sure you vote - and vote against the BNP’, is UNISON’s message.

The BNP is relying on a poor turnout so that their percentage of the vote gets bigger under proportional representation, giving them a chance of winning a seat in the European Parliament. As little as 8% of the vote could get them a seat in some places.

Last time in Scotland they only got 1.7% (the UKIP party got 6.7%) but a low poll and protest votes could give them a dangerous foothold.

A single MEP could deliver the BNP with thousands of pounds a year in salaries, resources and office costs - our taxes being used to promote their politics of hate. The Euro elections are crucial to our public services.

In the last issue of SiU, Jane Carolan urged members to judge the parties on workers’ rights, the environment, anti-racism and others - before they cast their vote. She also called for measures to protect public services from a ‘market rules’ philosophy.

But those very public services would be at risk under the BNP.

It openly says it wants everyone who was not born in Britain to leave and for ‘native’ Britons to be given priority for jobs. If the BNP’s apartheid policies were implemented our NHS would collapse because 16% of nurses are from minority ethnic communities, as are 40% of new dentists and 58% of new doctors.

UNISON Scotland, together with the STUC and local trade union councils and other unions, is actively supporting Searchlight’s “Hope not Hate" campaign to keep the BNP out.

UNISON Scotland has also been working with other anti-fascist and anti-racist campaigns including Show Racism the Red Card (SRTRC) and Unite Against Fascism (UAF) to co-ordinate activity in the lead up to the European elections.

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