Asian Image is urging YOU the Asian community to get into the polling booths at this summer’s European Elections.

As reported in our most recent edition the far-right British National Party could win its first seat in the European Parliament by claiming just 8% of the vote! And Nick Griffin the leader of the party is standing as a candidate in the North West.

He has already started campaigning for votes in the local towns. He is pictured here at the Manxman Pub in Blackburn during a meeting. The meeting was attended by local BNP canvassers including Robin Evans who gave a short speech on the night.

If you want to do something about it and stop the BNP then in the first instance you have to register with your local council to vote.

The European elections take place on Thursday June 4.

The proportional representation voting system used for Euro-elections increases the BNP's chances of winning a seat.

The Asian community has long been vocal in protesting over international issues but it is time we focussed our energies democratically to ensure those who aim to divide and spread hateful messages are not given a mandate to further their cause.

Fundamentally the Asian community needs to become more active in local politics.

There have already been warnings against complacency.

Harriet Harman MP said, “In the North West, where Nick Griffin, the BNP chairman, is standing, Searchlight estimates they only need about 8% of the vote to break through into the European Parliament.

“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, Liberal Democrat and Tory-held. Their poison is spreading.”

Councillor Taalib Shamsuddin was one of the first local councillors to warn of the threat.

“The only way to stop Nick Griffin is a massive voter turn out on Thursday 4 June and people voting for one of the top three parties.

“The deadline for voter registration is 19 May and I urge everybody to make sure there friends and family are registered to vote."