Sam Townend for Bristol North West

Letter to Bristol Evening Post 

‘It is unfortunate that the recent leaking of BNP members’ names and addresses has raised the issue of intolerance and prejudice in British politics.

 All mainstream political parties in Bristol, indeed throughout the UK, are united in opposing the division that far right parties propagate, and it is encouraging to see that there are so few BNP members in our area.

 Bristol is vibrant and diverse, with people of different faiths and nationalities living and working together. Indeed, migration is part of our heritage, and we should be proud of the fact that Bristol provides a refuge for those who need it, as well as a home for new arrivals who enrich our communities.

It is evident from readers’ comments that this is an emotive issue, but let us be clear – we cannot allow far right parties to use fear and ignorance to divide our communities, or to promote intolerance between people of different backgrounds.’

 Signatories were:

 Kerry McCarthy

Dawn Primarolo

Roger Berry

Paul Smith

Sam Townend