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Euro seat for BNP

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Published Date: 08 June 2009
A BNP Euro MP has been elected in Yorkshire and Humber - after voters turned to the far-right party and it polled strongly in Labour strongholds in South Yorkshire.
The party achieved 16 per cent of the vote in Barnsley, 15 per cent in Rotherham and nearly 12 per cent in Doncaster - all Labour strongholds.

British National Party candidate Andrew Brons was one of six MEPs elected for Yorkshire and Humber after the party received 20,139 votes - a 9.8 per cent share of the vote overall.

But in Sheffield Labour did not receive the trouncing at the polls which had been widely predicted.

Labour's Linda McAvan was elected as an MEP as Labour received 230,009 votes - an 18.76 per cent share of the vote.

Edward McMillan-Scott won a seat in the European Parliament for the Tories after the Conservative Party won 299,802 votes - a 24.45 per cent share.

Labour topped the Euro vote in Sheffield with 29,143 votes, nearly 5,000 ahead of the Liberal Democrats, who were more than 6,000 ahead of UKIP. The Conservatives were fourth.

Paul Wood, chairman of the Labour Party in Sheffield, said Labour voters who stayed away from the polls would be "horrified" to see a BNP MEP elected.

He said: "Whatever Labour's difficulties nationally at the moment, this result clearly demonstrated there is absolutely no appetite among Sheffield people for Cameron's Conservatives. To be beaten into fourth place in Sheffield by UKIP must be a considerable blow to them.

"The result was also a slap in the face for Nick Clegg's claims for Lib Dem dominance in Sheffield.

"I know that many of our traditional voters didn't come out to vote in this election, which was reflected in our vote share. They told us this reflected their anger and frustration about recent events in Parliament.

"However, I think that most of them will be absolutely horrified when they wake up to find that, by not going out to vote, they had let in a BNP MEP regionally."

The results come as South Yorkshire MPs voiced their support for embattled Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Sheffield Brightside MP David Blunkett said: "If there was ever a moment for steady hearts and clear heads, this is it. Decisions must not be taken on a rollercoaster, with this drip-drip of deeply damaging action.

"The most senior members of the Cabinet must make their support for the Prime Minister unequivocally clear if the draining away of political lifeblood is not to become unstoppable.

"I am giving my loyalty to Gordon Brown."

Rother Valley MP Kevin Barron said: "There has been too much self-indulgence. The big picture for the people of Rother Valley is to get the economy right.

"MPs should be sorting out the mess we have got ourselves in with our expenses rather than changing government."

Barnsley Central MP Eric Illsley warned Labour risks returning to the lows of the early 1980s when in-fighting made it unelectable.

He said: "I am sad the party is in turmoil and that some of my colleagues are more interested in their own wellbeing and careers than the wellbeing of the Government itself."

Rotherham MP Denis MacShane added: "To force a change in leader now would mean going into an immediate general election which would be fought on the issue of MPs' expenses and would not serve parliamentary democracy.I regret the resignations, which I think shows a lack of teamwork. These ministers owe their nomination to Gordon Brown."

- Turnout for the region was 32.51 per cent.

- The total number and percentage of votes by party were as follows:

British National Party - 120,139 votes - 9.80 per cent share

Christian Party - 16,742 votes - 1.37 per cent share

Conservative Party - 299,802 votes - 24.45 per cent share

English Democrats Party - 31,287 votes - 2.55 per cent share

Jury Team - 7,181 votes - 0.58 per cent share

Liberal Democrats - 161,552 votes - 13.18 per cent share

No2EU: Yes to Democracy - 15,614 votes - 1.27 per cent share

Pro Democracy: Libertas.eu - 6,268 votes - 0.51 per cent share

Socialist Labour Party - 19,380 votes - 1.58 per cent share

The Green Party - 104,456 votes - 8.52 per cent share

The Labour Party - 230,009 votes - 18.76 per cent share

United Kingdom Independence Party - 213,750 - 17.43 per cent share

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  • Last Updated: 09 June 2009 9:11 AM
  • Source: Sheffield Star
  • Location: Sheffield
 
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1

Rodgers,

SHEFFIELD 08/06/2009 09:27:53
Lets face it. We are a democratic country. Those that supported Andrew Bons came out on top, It is no use complaining, Most of those that will complain are those that did not bother to turn out and vote.
2

The Fraudbusters,

Darnall boy 08/06/2009 10:24:14
The anti-Europe parties - UKIP & BNP - polled over 27% of the vote. One third of a million voters support parties opposed to the U.K`s continued membership of the E.U.. Little wonder the government changed its mind on giving us a vote on the Lisbon treaty.
3

yorkshireguy,

sheffield 08/06/2009 10:37:04
ONE seat WOW big deal.The BNP will never get any real power anyway and anybody that voted for them have just wasted there vote.
4

Sully84,

08/06/2009 11:08:03
The point is that most people wouldn’t vote for either UKIP or BNP if the Government listened to what the majority of people in this country want.
People don’t want a racist state; they just want a fair deal. When the Government is hell bent on giving our tax money to Europe & housing the highest number of illegal immigrants in Europe you can understand why the protest wont goes in the direction of UKIP & BNP.
5

Mosbroman,

sheffield 08/06/2009 11:36:25
I agree, Sully84, if the "big" parties wont listen then people will use their vote to make a protest....and thats what they did!
6

Malblue,

Rotherham 08/06/2009 12:30:14
Still not got it have you Denis? Regret the resignations do you? I do. They should all be on a charge, stealing public money, ordinary folk would be in front of a judge.Most of them are not standing at the next election giving them big fat pensions. Anything they can get their grubby hands on. 32.51% turn out. That means 67.49% were not bothered to turn out, it's them that wasted their vote.
7

Razor Blades,

08/06/2009 13:11:18
I find it quite disturbing that BNP get 9.80% of our regions votes.
8

GrumpyOldCow,

Sheffield 08/06/2009 13:11:48
But it's not really surprising, is it? Old Labour strongholds were always racist, sexist and homophobic, closer to the BNP than anyone wanted to let on. If you don't give them a strong male candidate who says he'll protect their dying jobs and working men's clubs come what may, they'll vote with their feet.
9

Reaper,

Merseyside (Born n' bred in Sheffield) 08/06/2009 13:24:27
Well done BNP!
Winning two Euro places has certainly rattled many cages.
I look forward to the next General election, so I may once again exercise my democratic right to vote for the party who WILL get things done..
10

crystal peaks man,

08/06/2009 13:54:07
I am proud of my fellow yorkshire men and women for voting in the BNP,you have done the country a big big favour.
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