BNP fields candidate in Billericay election (From Basildon Recorder)

BNP fields candidate in Billericay election

8:00am Monday 31st August 2009

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The far-right BNP party is set to contest a town council election.

Three candidates, representing Labour, UK Independence Party, and the BNP, have come forward to fight for a place on Billericay Town Council as a south west ward councillor.

This comes after the previous councillor, Ann Ud-Din stepped down from the 20-strong council for personal reasons.

The election is scheduled for Thursday, September 24. With the absence of a Conservative candidate on the ballot sheet, the BNP could pick up votes from residents in the traditionally conservative town.

John Buchanan planning chairman for Billericay Town Council said he was pleased the election was being contested, but was surprised the candidates had gone public about their political allegiances.

Mr Buchanan said: “Usually, candidates standing for the town council don’t mention which political party they belong to. We put ‘resident’ or ‘independent’ next to our names.

“I’m not a member of a political party, we don’t pay attention to that on the town council. It’s about putting in effort for the people of the town.”

But Mr Buchanan said he thought the candidates’ public politics could affect voter turnout for the election.

He said: “I wonder whether having only one mainstream party candidate will inspire more people to come out and vote.

“Turnout is usually between 12 and 15 per cent in parish by-elections, and in the recent EU elections I think some parties were elected through voter apathy.”

The candidates are: UKIP candidate Susan McCaffery, of the Rising, Billericay.

BNP candidate, Tony Gladwin, of Craysdown, Crays Hill.

Labour candidate, Alan Bennett, of Langham Cresent, Billericay.

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