HOSPITAL cuts are playing into the hands of far-right parties, says Labour leadership candidate John McDonnell.
The MP has called on the Government to scrap plans to close or downgrade up to 60 hospitals, including Burnley General.
He warned that the BNP is moving in to exploit the mood of public anger against the closure programme.
And he said news that Burnley A&E is targeted for early closure is a "gift" to the BNP.
Speaking at the Labour party conference in Manchester, Mr McDonnell said: "I urge delegates to give their full support to the Trade Union motion on cuts and privatisation in the NHS.
"It would be yet another kick in the teeth for Labour democracy if the motion is forced off the agenda.
"Not only is the current policy wrong but it is alienating core Labour supporter in areas as far afield as Burnley and Hastings in their hundreds of thousands and the racist BNP are moving in to exploit that anger at street level.
"Ploughing on with cuts and privatisation under the guise of "modernisation" is electoral suicide and a gift to the fascists."
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