Griffin ducks out of Barnsley contest despite campaign visits

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Update: It seems that Griffin has ducked out of the race for Barnsley – their candidate has been announced as Enis Dalton. She’s described as a “local community organiser” by the BNP – we’re looking into what exactly that constitutes.

—–

Despite being humiliated by Margaret Hodge in Barking, and deciding against standing in Oldham East (despite strong rumours that he would be a candidate), Nick Griffin has been campaigning in Barnsley today – the second time he’s campaigned in the town this week – fuelling rumours that he will stand against Labour’s Dan Jarvis in the upcoming by-election.

Sources close to the Labour campaign believe than an announcement confirming Griffin will stand is imminent. Although considered a safe Labour seat, there is a determination to fight the by-election hard, and deal another electoral rebuke to the BNP leader.

The campaign team also intend to use the Barnsley Central race – like the Oldham East campaign last month – to send a firm message to Clegg and Cameron about cuts.

Dan Jarvis and the local Labour Party are focusing their campaigning around a “Big Campaign Weekend” on the weekend of February 5th-6th. Details can be found here.