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Far right Euro MEP could be elected in North West
Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman will warn that British National Party leader Nick Griffin could win one of the North West's European Parliament seats - unless mainstream politicians "take a stand" against his far right party.
Research has shown that Mr Griffin only needs to secure 8% of the vote in this summer's elections to become a Euro MP.
Such a result would be "shameful for Britain" at a time when the US has just elected its first black president, Ms Harman is expected to say on Saturday.
Labour chiefs fear that the demise of the right wing UKIP and the deteriorating economy could boost the BNP's prospects during the June elections.
Mr Griffin headed the BNP candidate list for the last Euro elections in the North West in 2004 when the party won 134,958 votes (6%) – but it was not enough to elect him.
Ms Harman expected to issue a rallying call for Labour to "draw a line in the sand against the advance of the BNP." on Saturday.
She will take the unusual step of highlighting the party's successes in recent years during a speech to the Progressive London conference.
She is due to say: "The BNP threat cannot be ignored.
"A new Labour analysis of council elections shows that even where they are not winning they are coming second in areas which are Labour, Lib/Dem and Tory-held.
"Their poison is spreading.
"They are winning and coming second in the North West, the North East, the Midlands and London...from Yorkshire to Essex."
And addressing the specific threat posed by Mr Griffin, she will add: "In the North West, where Nick Griffin, the BNP chairman, is standing, Searchlight (an anti-BNP campaign group) estimates they only need about 8% of the vote to break through into the European Parliament.
"That would be shameful for Britain just as the US shows the way forward by electing an inclusive, progressive President."
The BNP in central Lancashire suffered a blow last November when more than 50 members had their personal details posted on the Internet.
An accountant, retired teacher, plasterer and three ex-servicemen were among those whose details were included in a leaked document.
Fourteen of the 56 central Lancashire members were described as being activists for the party.
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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