Peter's message to voters in the North West
I’m an immigrant to England. My family was forced to leave our home in Scotland in the early 1980s due to the huge unemployment. My father got work in the south of England. I’ve lived here ever since, and I’ve lived in the North West for over 10 years.
Growing up in a small town in Scotland, I learned about prejudice. As part of a small minority Catholic community, our church and school was vandalised and sometimes we’d be subject to violence, because we wore different uniforms and followed a different religion.
At the age of 11, I took off the uniform. I’m not Black but I understand what prejudice is. I’m not Hindu, Jewish or Muslim but I understand what it feels like to be discriminated against and attacked on the basis of your religion.
Like many other immigrant families, we came to England because there was little choice. We came to work and to contribute to society. Britain is based on immigration, going back to the times of the Roman Empire, and we are a stronger better place to live because of it.
I’m an anti-racist activist here on Merseyside. Like many of you, I’ve been out to leaflet when the BNP have tried to get a local foothold. Like many of you, I will stand up and be counted when the far right tries to get a foothold in British politics. We should not let them. A European seat now for Nick Griffin will give the BNP a platform for five years. That’s five years for them to build support, exploiting the system by using taxpayer money to fund a North West office.
At this time of recession, the BNP are desperate for a major breakthrough. We need to be smarter than them and minimise their chances of winning a seat. That’s why I’m calling on all anti-racist voters, whether you normally support Labour, the Lib Dems or another party, to back the Greens in this election, in this region.
The Liberal Democrats and Labour will definitely win seats in the European Parliament in this election. If they are your first choice party, you will still get Lib Dem and Labour representatives in the North West. However, using your vote tactically to back the Greens can help beat the BNP.
If you are one of the 30% of Liberal Democrat voters who sees the Greens as their second choice party, then vote Green at this election. You’ll get a Liberal Democrat and a Green MEP representing you.
If you are a disillusioned Labour voter, and you don’t want to see the BNP elected in Europe, then vote Green at this election. You’ll get Labour MEPs and a Green MEP to represent you.
Just a small tactical vote to the Greens is key to keeping out the BNP. Please have the debate and the discussion with colleagues and friends. Don’t just take our word for it on the election figures, you can analyse them for yourself.
We can make history here in the North West. There has never been a more crucial time. Please support the Greens here at the European Elections. You can, and you will, make a real difference.
Peter Cranie
Green MEP candidate for the North West of England
20 April 2009
Watch Peter talking about green jobs and the BNP's record:
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