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VIEW from Westminster

8 May 2009 On June 4th every voter in Southwark will have the chance to decide who represents them in the European Parliament. This election is important and every vote will count. There are 9 London MEPs who represent people from Southwark.

The British National Party is campaigning hard in London. European elections use proportional representation which means that the BNP only need to win between 11.1% of the votes in London to win a seat. Just because they now wear suits does not mean that their ideology has changed - they are still as racist and divisive as ever and, if the turn out is low on June 4th they could be a bigger threat than ever.

Southwark is a vibrant and diverse borough in which people from all parts of the world and from all walks of life live and work together. The idea that Southwark, and London, could be represented in the European Parliament by the racist and poisonous BNP is terrible.

The more votes that other political parties get on June 4th the less likely that it will be that the BNP will win a seat. Every vote really will count.

We are a trading nation. We always have been. There is no prospect of a strong economic future and the jobs we need for everyone if we turn away from the rest of the world. And there is no prospect of peace in our communities and in our workplaces if there is racism and division. BNP websites, newsletters and speeches strike fear into the black and Asian community. We must all stand up against them.  

I don't think any of us, anymore, believe that you can just ignore the BNP - deny them the oxygen of publicity - and they will "go away". We have to campaign against them and all go out to vote on June 4th. If you are not registered to vote, or you are not sure - there is still time. You can register to vote up until 19th May. If you want your voice heard at the European Parliament contact Southwark Council Electoral services by calling 0207 525 7373 or emailing electoralenquiries@southwark.gov.uk.

If you want to contact me, or would like to join me campaigning in Camberwell this weekend, contact me at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, email harmanh@parliament.uk or visit www.harrietharman.org.

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