THE General Election in Blackburn should be very interesting; well, even more interesting than usual.

We learned recently that a party calling itself the National Democrats announced they would field a candidate, Cumbria-based mum of three Tina Wingfield, against Labour's Jack Straw, the current MP and Shadow Home Secretary.

He is already being challenged by Tory candidate Geeta Sidhu but, while I seriously doubt that in the final analysis Mr Straw will be troubled by either, it is well worth taking a look at the policies of the far-right National Democrats.

The party advocates the restoration of capital punishment, and it has to be said that on that particular issue they seem certain to gain significant support.

They oppose the European Union, which will strike a chord with many voters in the UK, fearful - with just cause it would appear - that our national identity will be drowned in a sea of gobbledegook and double-speak from Brussels.

So far so good. Then we come to their policies on immigration and the reason for targeting Blackburn becomes crystal clear.

Spokesman Stephen Ebbs made what I can only describe as a statement of breathtaking naivety when he spoke thus:

"I am sure many of the Asian people living in Blackburn would support our polices of financial asistance for immigrants wanting to leave the country.

"Many immigrants are unhappy at the idea of living in an alien culture and would welcome the chance to return to live in a country where they feel happy with the customs and culture." Either Mr Ebbs lives on a different planet than most of us or this is a thinly-veiled hint at racial policies that might not be as 'tolerant' as they seem.

For example, how much of a financial inducement does the National Democrats party imagine would persuade ANY Asians, let along the 'many' they quote, to leave this land of social and health benefits, education for their children, business openings and equal opportunity in employment, to return to a homeland riven with religious bigotry, poverty, disease. Shall I go on?

Mr Ebbs also conveniently overlooks the fact that countless 'Asians' were in fact born in the UK and know little or nothing about their ancestral home except what has been taught them by the parents or religious leaders.

THIS is their home. Why would they want to change it for what would surely be, for them anyway, an 'alien culture?' I suspect that at worst the National Democrats would advocate a take it or leave it policy on immigrants. The 'take it' being a few quid to kick start life 'back home' and the 'leave it' being 'you are going back home, like it or not, with or without the few quid.' In other words, enforced repatriation.

At best (if there is such a thing) their involvement in the General Election in Blackburn will activate racial unrest.

Anything connected with extreme right wing policies involves playing on people's fears and prejudices and the importation, intended or otherwise, of out of town heavies.

I hope not. It's the last thing we need. It really is. DO YOU agree or disagree with Citizen Smith. Write and let us know

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.