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Analysis: This was a victory for all those who elect hope over hatred

May 13, 2010 12:57
Quiet triumph and relief at an extraordinary political deal, the new Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg

By

Martin Bright,

Martin Bright

3 min read

Labour, Liberal Democrat or Tory, Jewish or non-Jewish: a string of results from last week's election should be wholeheartedly welcomed by people who care about British democracy.

The stunning victories of Margaret Hodge in Barking and Jon Cruddas in Dagenham and Rainham mean that the British National Party has been destroyed (at least for the time being) as a credible force in the politics of this country. To this achievement, campaigners can add the real satisfaction of witnessing the BNP lose every seat on Barking and Dagenham Council. Before this election, a nightmare scenario had emerged in which local mainstream politicians warned of the chilling possibility that the extreme right would take control of the council, allowing the BNP to build a real power base. In an area where community relations are already fragile, this outcome would have been explosive.

At the same time, the fear that the BNP could establish itself across the north of England did not materialise. Concerns about immigration failed to translate into a surge of votes for the far-right. Perhaps we should have had more faith in the British people.

Instead, the BNP was completely routed, demonstrating that it is possible to oppose the politics of fear without pandering to anti-immigrant sentiments.

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