IT is remarkable that David Chaytor MP (Letters, January 7) thinks there is "little difference" between Sikh demonstrators who "violently protested" against a play in Birmingham and BNP candidates seeking to contest democratic elections without being arrested, intimidated or sacked from their jobs. I suspect Bury Times readers will spot the difference with no difficulty.
Furthermore, I doubt if anyone will be impressed by Mr Chaytor's complaints about the "sheer viciousness" of your correspondents' criticism of him. For a real example of "sheer viciousness", I would refer Mr Chaytor to 5am on December 14 when plain clothes police broke into the family home of BNP leader Nick Griffin. What went on there amply illustrates the kind of "sheer viciousness" New Labour unleashes against its opponents.
However, it is good news that Mr Chaytor now recognises that "the response of those who can't handle different viewpoints to their own is always to abuse and intimidate". Indeed, that precisely describes New Labour's treatment of anyone who speaks out against immigration!
Does Mr Chaytor's welcome rejection of abuse and intimidation now mean that New Labour will engage in open democratic debate with the BNP at the General Election, rather than just hurling abuse about "neo-Nazis" and "extremists"? Will New Labour now allow the BNP to campaign freely, with no fear of further attacks on its bank accounts or its website, the arrest of its leaders or the intimidation of its candidates?
G. PURDY,
Higher Blackley.
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