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EDL’s knock on the door for all of us

July 10, 2012 12:53 pm

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It’s not often when you find a constituent has knocked on your office door in the European Parliament, that you’re relieved you were out at a meeting – but I was when the caller was the so-called leader of the Far Right English Defence League (EDL), who sickeningly try to call Luton in my constituency their “home.”

The fact he called came in a bizarre twitter message saying “Outside Richard Howitt’s office! Knock Knock,” after I had exposed a clandestine meeting Tommy Robinson was taking part in with neo-fascist MEPs.

This morning I found a copy of the book the meeting was discussing – a publication which calls all mosques “houses of war” -  left in my personal mailbox, together with a handwritten note: “You spineless coward, Love Tommy!”

Fairly puerile stuff, but a further sign of the true character of the EDL as a party which is willing to make common cause with self-avowed racist, neo-Nazi organisations. And of why we have to organise internationally to ever prevent them succeeding.

The meeting itself was hosted behind the cover name of a launch of a front organisation, incredibly called the “International Civil Liberties Alliance.” It was advertised on Parliament’s screens simply as “Meeting,” and it was only an internal tip-off that alerted me that it was happening.

I asked my parliamentary researcher to listen in to the discussion, and he heard one speaker describe how “the pansy left are auditioning to be the Muslim’s prison b*tch.”  The mainstream media was said to represent “a threat to life and liberty.” The anti-Islam rhetoric included the claim: “A society which becomes more Muslim becomes less everything else.”

Anyone tempted to believe the EDL’s absurd claim not to be racist, should ask why they joined together withBelgium’s Vlaams Belang who want to stop all immigration, with the Dutch Freedom Party that has openly incited race riots and called for mosques to be “pulled down,” and a Dane who has a criminal record for hate speech?

The truth is that this is a destined to be yet another failed attempt by the EDL to develop pan- European links, which has previously seen supposedly mass demonstrations they have announced of European “defence leagues” in Netherlands and Denmark turn out to be total washouts.

Yesterday Robinson presented himself as President of the “British Freedom Party” intent on fighting future elections, but it is increasingly obvious he is a leader with few if any behind him.

But their presence in the European Parliament is a telling reminder that at the next European Elections those of us inBritainhave to play our part in preventing the Far Right from getting a foothold in electoral politics, in solidarity with anti-fascists across the continent. Our plans to defeat the two British National Party MEPs must ensure they are not replaced by Robinson or any of his like.

And that started yesterday when I made a formal complaint to the President of the European Parliament that the meeting openly promoted race hate in Parliament’s premises, and that it was used for fundraising in conflict with parliament rules.

The EDL might have got a foot in the door once, but we have to make sure they don’t come back.

Richard Howitt is a Labour MEP for East of England

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  • KonradBaxter

    So long as the dead end of No Platform is avoided then more power to you.

  • British Republicans

    The EDL was instrumental in getting my republican twitter account closed after Tommy Robinson declared his support for the Queen. The grim reality is that EDL power means a return to an imaginary idyllic England of beer with fish & chips;  Sunday walks, and the bobby on the beat. If in power the EDL would define what is British and Britons would either conform to the requirements of that view or simply vanish. You can be certain censorship would arrive within two years of an EDL government and within five years any form of non-British behaviour as seen by the EDL terms would cease to exist.

    • Mike Hunt

      So you can see into the future or are you just making it up? Want to look at our future then take a look at any country that previously did not have a muslim majority and the treatment meted out to the poor non-muslim inhabitants of those countries is what we can expect here. Of course you’re either too blind or too stupid to see this because you haven’t quite gotten past the calling people names part have you?

      • British Republicans

        The sad point is that you fail to see a balanced argument. There are issues in the UK related to Muslims who practice racism but the solution is in the application of the law and not a mass movement which seeks only to intimidate people.

         

    • Guest

      What’s wrong with wanting old fashioned values back? I’m all for the multi culti link, but that does not mean giving up all my likes just as to not offend any of theirs! They chose to live and work here so why can’t they stick to one set of democratic values? Could it be that Islam is a Totalitarian System? The two will not mix! 

      • British Republicans

        If you examine youtube is it apparent to any reasonable person that  young Muslims are told by their mentors to perform acts of violence against offenders of their faith. 

        By a simple definition, Christians are offenders, and therefore the issues really does arise about law enforcement.

        These are serious issues related to law which so far have not been addressed on grounds which have been unstated.

  • 1Pat

    You really must read what you write prior to publication.

  • Travis29

    The mainstream parties in the UK need to address people’s concerns about immigration-particularlyy immigration from societies with very different cultures and beliefs. Not all immigration is good, and not all anti-immigration viewpoints are rascist. The EDL is simply a result of some peoples natural concerns for their home. Brtain has changed dramatically over the past 50 years and I think it’s still too early to decide if the demographic shifts will result in a stable future society. Going by evidence in other multicultural/multireligious societies (nigeria/india/china) The future looks bleak.

    • Thomas Faenum

      Going by evidence in other multicultural/multireligious societies (nigeria/india/china) The future looks bleak.
      Two booming economies and  an oil rich country run by a weak government  corrupt warlords and oil corporations. 

      What?

    • British Republicans

      I think I agree. When the EDL attacked republicans in Newcastle and later launched a twitter campaign against republicans, part of which caused my account to be closed, I realised that the EDL is for the EDL and nothing else.

      Historically, Hitler promised people a solution to certain issues and when he had power he greatly widen the use of his power. The EDL will do the same thing if it got power.

      • treborc

         And you think the EDL or BNP will somehow get power, how many people do they have in parliament remind me.

        • British Republicans

          I think the misconception under which you labour is that the EDL is a political movement, but it is one built on ideology. When I refer to an EDL government I mean one espousing EDL principles which could be endorsed by all parties. The BNP made its play and failed. The last “protest” has about 10 people all middle aged with some signs. Their day has gone. And Mr Griffin enjoys his MEP salary. 

          Only time will show if the EDL principles are collectively endorsed but clearly the EDL is attempting to get US support and there are a questions in my mind about the EDL is financed. 

          Law is certainly needed to gain access to financial records of groups over a certain size. The EDL also apparently runs three private companies and one of them joined the names EDL and JDL (Jewish Defence League). The JDL was declared as terrorist in nature in the USA by the FBI.

          When all the shouting has ended at the marches, serious minds need to look at the finances of Tommy Robinson already who stood accused in the Crown Court of money laundering. Yes money laundering for this self-proclaimed “working class” lad.

  • Adamkm23

    it is not racist to object to immigration. What the bloody hell is racist about being angry when forced to compete with uninvited entrants for jobs and housing, immigration on the scale it has reached today is very racist. It is racist against the working class, particularly the indigenously British as they are unlikely to benefit from any positive discrimination or organisations that define themselves by race, religion etc. The cry “racist,” will not keep far-left marxists in posistions of power for much longer, their inward racism is about to suffer one almighty upending.

  • Bob Pitt

    The unnamed speaker who denounced the “pansy left” and warned that “society which becomes more Muslim becomes less everything else” would have been Mark Steyn, one of the advertised speakers at the meeting. The “pansy left” is a favourite phrase of his – he justifies its use on the basis that he borrowed it from George Orwell – and a recent piece by Steyn on Mohammed Merah featured the sentence: “A society that becomes more Muslim eventually becomes less everything else.” For years Steyn wrote for mainstream right-wing publications in the UK such as the Telegraph and the Spectator.

  • LeftLover

     ”And that started yesterday when I made a formal complaint to the
    President of the European Parliament that the meeting openly promoted
    race hate in Parliament’s premises, and that it was used for fundraising
    in conflict with parliament rules.”

    Which race are you referring to, Mr MEP?

    I would also like to know how this fundraising was done? I am appalled, as you are, but you fail to mention more information. How much money did Robinson take with him? And how? Who gave him the money?

    Thank you for clarifying this.

    • British Republicans

      The definition is race is very wide. For example, you can talk about the British race as was done by Edward VII. The issue facing the EDL is that it is being labelled a pro-British movement which in itself would make it racist. 

      Of course, the unanswered question is that on the same grounds, a reasonable questioner could say the Crown itself is racist for adopting an immigration policy which clearly discriminates against foreign people. 

      This is one of the many questions which normally is answered by one word: power. 

      • LeftLover

         You didn’t answer the question: Which race is he referring to?

        • British Republicans

          In law we do not have yes and no answers, everything comes down to an argument. 

      • Hugh

         ”The issue facing the EDL is that it is being labelled a pro-British movement which in itself would make it racist.

        Of course, the unanswered question is that on the same grounds, a
        reasonable questioner could say the Crown itself is racist for adopting
        an immigration policy which clearly discriminates against foreign
        people.”

        Why not go further and say representative democracy is racist in inherently preferring policies that address the interests of domestic voters?

        Or perhaps we should stick to a sensible definition of racism to mean prejudice against people depending on their race.

        • British Republicans

          The point is that race itself has meaning according to the argument which wins. Race is not limited to physical characteristics, such as those dependent on someone’s colour.  

  • bigwoodsuk

    This country needs a voice from the people instead of public school boys who live in their isolated suburban lives. Who the only Muslim gangs they meet are the ones present when they appear briefly with us commoners. Do u think people like this are approached and terrorized by their beliefs or their sexual orientation. Do u think this man fears for his daughters safety or fear that she may return home raped because she was white and looks easy meat. Then maybe he would see how the EDL have played an important part in opening many peoples eyes & opposing hate speech. While Muslims still openly burn our national emblem & the poppy which symbolizes our struggle for freedom & our honoured dead who fought so we could live without fear of foreign invasion, so that we may keep freedom of speech. Now we fear speaking against these people for they use the race card generously and to fit to their own end or needs. The police seem to have succombed too, recently pulling 2 ASIAN (Muslim) men for no insurance later finding after their release guns bombs & anti-EDL literature. If these were working class white men the boot would’ve been opened within seconds of being pulled over. This countries working class are speaking and the leftist judas’s dont like it, they sold us out in the early days of power Enoch Powell would’ve turned in his grave. God Save the Queen.

  • Mark, Preston, UK

    Far right? Are you sure? Even the Head of the Met Police Domestic Extremism Unit has said muslims should seek dialogue with the EDL as they are not extremist in any way, where as Islam has shown it is extremist over and over again. How can a group be racist when it has black and asian members?

    This has nothing to to with race, it’s about islam, what it is and what it stands for; I’m sure you’re aware wihte and black people have ‘reverted’ to islam, so it’s impossible to be racist towards a multi-race collective!

    Not forgetting how can someone be islamaphobic? Rhe definition of phobia is to have an irrational fear of something! Well I and I’m sure others who don’t agree with islam/sharia law do have a rational fear, we know what radical imams are preaching and that islam aims to eliminate every religion on earth. There’s no such thing as islamaphobia, it’s only MP/MEP and media leftist bullshit.
    The far left is just a dangerour as any “far right”, I’m sure you know Adolf Hitler was far left, and look what happened there. I’ll also inform you Hitler praised islam and aligned himself with Islamic leaders!

    Do you still live in Luton? Are you aware of the impact the increasing number of muslims; the self imposed segragation and lack of will to learn English is having on communities? I live in Preston, when I go to the supermarket I don’t feel as if I am in my own country, I feel intimidated; there’s ‘no go’ areas that muslims dominate and choose not to integrate; I’ve seen gangs driving round looking for girls to pick up and lure in islam or even prostitution, I’m sure you’re aware of the peodophile rings in Blackpool, Blackborn, Rochdale and Bristol to name a few. How about those honour killings, read about them?Islam is definitely not the religion of pace, those black flags you see them waving about, that’s their declaration of war, were you aware of that!?Have you have done any independent research on islam? YouTube is a brilliant place to start, there’s numerous other great sources.

    Have you being keeping up with events in Egypt since the Muslim Brotherhood have took over? Are you aware women who haven’t got their faces veiled have been harrassed and even beaten; islam will drive christians out of the country.I could go on and on, but I’ve given you an insight, now maybe you should jump off the left fence, be nutral for a few minutes and actually look at what you’re actually defending!!

    • lynz

       There’s obvioulsy gonna be blood spilt in Egypt now so it will be another Syria – more money lost around the world more deaths – great! more army members getting killed too. Why all because of Islam again! So when our country gets more Muslim ppl who refuse to intergrate this is how our country will eventually come – wars, fights. Makes me so angry – our government needs to improve!

  • Lynz

    Sorry but I have to agree with the EDL. I know some people in the EDL let Tommy’s side down which he needs to be more strict about. I don’t believe he is racist but he is annoyed with how so many Muslims get away with so much in this country. They should learn to intergrate or get out because they would not stand for it if it was vice versa and we were in their country.

  • 1Pat

    Censorship is wrong but thats Labour for you

  • rod harper

    Maybe you should get out more in to the real England and stop hiding in Europe. England has become a paradise for illegal immigrants and is fast becoming a “prison camp” for the indigenous English people. I am shamed that people like you ever get elected by the sad left-overs of Socialist revolutionaries…

  • Josh.

    I agree with the EDL, Islam is totalitarian and needs to be stopped now so we can live in a Britain we love.

  • Daniel Speight

    So yesterday’s Jews are today’s Muslims. The far right seem to be able switch their hates so easily. Funny old world isn’t it?

    • treborc

       Reading the comment below has to be some of the best laughter I have had in many a year on Labour list, it’s totally enjoyable. totally rubbish but laughable

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  • Jai_1

    Some more facts:

     

    1. EDL leader/BFP deputy leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon
    (aka “Tommy Robinson”) gave a speech at the EDL’s demonstration in London on 3
    September 2011 in which he directly accused “every single Muslim” of collective
    guilt and then proceeded to make a direct threat of EDL-led retribution against
    what he terms “the Islamic community” en masse. Yaxley-Lennon made these
    statements just over a month after Anders Breivik’s terrorist attack in Norway:

     

    “EVERY SINGLE MUSLIM watching this on
    Youtube, on 7/7 you got away with killing and maiming British citizens, you got
    away with it. You had better understand that we have built a network from one
    end of this country to the other end, and we will not tolerate it, and the
    Islamic community will feel the full force of the English Defence League if we
    see any of our citizens killed, maimed or hurt on British soil ever again.”

     

    Video footage of the extract above is
    available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j7IX_5a_9M&feature=share.
    Yaxley-Lennon’s full 10-minute speech is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWBRmuqsl5Q.

     

    2. During Yaxley-Lennon’s appearance on the BBC’s
    “The Big Questions” discussion programme in April 2012, anchor Nicky Campbell
    confronted Yaxley-Lennon about those statements (video available here: http://edlnews.co.uk/index.php/latest-news/latest-news/622-a-bad-weekend-gets-worse-for-tommy-on-the-bbc-s-big-question).
    Dr Matthew Goodwin, who was another guest on the debate and is a leading
    British academic who is an expert on the Far-Right, also challenged
    Yaxley-Lennon very effectively throughout the debate. Later on the same day,
    the EDL leadership posted a message on their official Twitter account, in which
    they attempted to publicly discredit Dr Goodwin by promoting a defamatory
    webpage about him. Full details, including a screenshot of the EDL leadership’s
    Twitter message: http://www.edlnews.co.uk/index.php/latest-news/latest-news/623-edl-tweet-nazi-websites-to-try-and-discredit-dr-goodwin

     

    It turns out that the webpage which the EDL
    leadership are promoting is actually on “Metapedia”, a
    Hitler-supporting white supremacist neo-Nazi website (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metapedia).
    The website is also extremely anti-Semitic. Furthermore, during “The Big
    Questions”, Yaxley-Lennon falsely accused Dr Goodwin of listing his
    political views as “Left. Way way left. No more left !” on his
    Facebook profile; that false claim actually originates on the Metapedia page
    slandering Dr Goodwin (see: http://en.metapedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Goodwin).
    So, Yaxley-Lennon was quoting from a neo-Nazi website live on air.

    • treborc

      The EDL and the BNP are two of the same, people who believe they are the reincarnation of Hitler.

  • Jai_1

    Some more facts:

    The English Defence League & “British Freedom” Party leadership are already
    repeatedly on record as confirming that their actions are actually racially-motivated.

    For example:

    1. During an interview on 27 January 2010 (available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BXxvy4NOXM), EDL leader/BFP deputy leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (aka “Tommy Robinson”) made the following statements:

    “Within 30 or 40 years in this country we are a complete minority to Muslims, because of the Muslim demographics…..Our culture and OUR RACE will disappear in this country.”

    2. During an interview on BBC Radio West Midlands on 22 October 2011 (available
    here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8f1mO1rufg), Yaxley-Lennon made the following statements clearly indicating that he is actually using “Islam/Islamic” and “Muslim” as veiled euphemisms for “South Asian”, ie. including Sikhs and Hindus. Bear in mind that the three main races in Birmingham are not “black”, “white” and “Islamic” as Yaxley-Lennon claimed (not least because there are numerous black Muslims and [esp. from Eastern Europe] white Muslims in that city), they are “black”, “white” and South Asian. Birmingham is actually famous for its sizeable Sikh population. Quote from the BBC interview:

    “The black community and the white community in Birmingham are treated with iron fists. The Islamic community are treated with kid gloves and that’s just the way it is. And it’s not on, you can’t have a two-tier policing system. There can be no master race. And I’m sorry, but there is a master race in certain areas of this country and it’s
    Islam !”

    3. BFP leader Paul Weston wrote an article titled “The ethnic cleansing of the English”, published on “Gates of Vienna”: http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/ethnically-cleansing-english.html. The article is openly racist; it also repeatedly implies that anyone non-white is automatically “Muslim”, whom Weston proceeds to caricature & demonise in
    the worst possible terms. As mentioned in my first comment, Weston’s articles have regularly been published on Gates of Vienna, and the website’s main owner Edward “Ned” May attended the Far-Right meeting at the European Parliament.

    4. On 16 November 2011, the EDL leadership released the following statement on
    their official Facebook page where they explicitly confirmed that their agenda is racially-motivated (screenshot: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=202146116527702&set=o.174993392556452&type=1&ref=nf):

    “In the last 66 years we as a nation, as a race have had our national identity stolen from us by politicians who have forced us to accept multiculturalism. They have and still are practicing cultural genocide on their own people, despite warnings that we will not accept it. They have forced us to accept the dilution of our heritage and history bythe implementation of laws which will stop us from rising up, even if that’s just to voice an opinion.

    Any action which has the aim or effect of depriving us of our integrity as distinct peoples, or of our cultural values or ethnic identities. Any form of population transfer which has the aim or effect of violating or undermining any of the rights of the native or
    indigenous people. Any form of assimilation or integration by other cultures or ways of life imposed on us by legislative, administrative or other measures is cultural genocide.

    And unless we find our backbone and stand up to the ones who are committing crimes against the English people we shall continue to be subjected to slavery by a British elite aided by outside influences whose only intention is to destroy us from within and wipe us out as a race.”

    • treborc

       Bollcks

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