BNP secretary quits to set up own party
A BNP member has quit to set up a new political group in Stoke-on-Trent.
Craig Pond has formed the Potteries Community Federation (PCF) after resigning as the BNP's Stoke branch secretary and policy group chairman.
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The 45-year-old, of Chell Heath, who stood for election for the far-right party last year, has been joined by fellow ex-BNP figures, Sam Tunstall and Terence Cope.
But he said his new group also includes former Labour supporters on its fledgling membership list.
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Mr Pond said the PCF will be independent in its political outlook, and will focus on devising commonsense policies to improve the city.
He said: "We will be unique in the city, and possibly even in the country, in that we will be based around a political think-tank.
"There are some very politically savvy people in Stoke-on-Trent who are sitting around doing nothing, and we want to bring them together.
"In this city, you have to choose between supporting the Labour/Tory/Lib Dem coalition at one end, or the BNP at the other, but we aim to fit squarely between the two."
Mr Pond said he felt the BNP had become "stigmatised" by its views and actions, and was reluctant to develop effective local policies.
He admitted that some voters may be put off by his former BNP ties.
But he said he was confident his new party would be able to mount an effective campaign for council seats in the next local elections.
Comments
by chris, bentilee
Tuesday, April 14 2009, 10:27AM
“all policticans are scum labour,swp are left wing scum bnp,nf are fascist scum,lib dems are liberal scum,greens are hippy scum”
by Tim, Blurton
Thursday, March 19 2009, 4:05PM
“So Messrs Pond, Cope and Tunstall were not prepared to go along with the BNP's attempts to re-brand themselves as a "respectable" Party, and have quit to form their own racist, neo-fascist group. Now we see the real face of the BNP in Stoke.”
by Sarah, North of Stoke
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 6:21PM
“So come the next council elections, let's see where this "new" party decide to contest seats. We'll see how independent of the BNP they really are if they put up candidates against them.
Wolves in sheeps' clothing, anyone?”
by Dawn, North Staffs
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 4:51PM
“John of Milton............ You remember Citizen Smith too.”
by Gary Elsby, Baddeley Green
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 4:50PM
“Can I guess? The new party wants all immigrants out and it's all Labour's fault for everything, including the Global Economic recession and it's Gordon Brown's in particular.”
by Karina, Stoke
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 4:43PM
“Guy...well that's just great...you get invited to the parties and I don't. That's not funny! :D”
by Guy Brookes-Smyth, Bradeley
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 4:35PM
“Another Party in Stoke-on-Trent! Oh fab, the fun never stops here!”
by john, milton
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 3:53PM
“What next tooting popular front”
by Warren, Pits n Pots
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 10:06AM
“Its old news news Craig, Terry and Sam left the BNP a cuppel of weeks ago.”
by Rob, Stoke
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 9:40AM
“You wont find common sense with someone connected to the BNP. Thats the last thing you will find!!!”