WNP SAY JOIN US?
By Claire Smith

BALLYMONEY is being targeted in a huge recruitment campaign by a right-wing political grouping - the Times can exclusively reveal!

The White Nationalist Party have erected stickers on lamp-posts around the town with a telephone number to call as well as the words: “Ulster is forever British. Hang IRA scum.”

The Times contacted the White Nationalist Party who confirmed: “Yes we are very interested in recruiting new members within the Ballymoney area. We are planning a leaflet drop in the town in the next few weeks.

“Our recruitment drive expands throughout the North Antrim area. We have units in North Antrim, Belfast, Larne, Portadown and Ballymena with over 80 members. We feel very strongly about our beliefs and urge people to join us.

“Most of us are ex-BNP [British National Party] members disgusted at the softening attitude at gays, race issues, asylum seekers and lack of street activity.

“We welcome White Patriots of every social background and of every age. We believe a man and woman’s religious beliefs are a personal matter. We simply want to clean up the mess our country is in - it could be Britain’s last chance.”

The spokesperson also offered to send the Times information about the group saying “what we are all about is in this bumper pack”.

Included in the envelope were 11 ‘welcoming’ leaflets outlining ‘the eight principles of White Nationalism’ as well as stickers, posters and a membership application form stating a £5 annual membership fee.

He also outlined the groups forthcoming plans adding: “Our campaign in Portadown against the proposed Mosque will continue. We also hope to be a registered political party, stand in elections here in the near future as well as have a PO Box set up shortly.

“Many of our mainland members are over and planning to stay in the local area for the 12th of July parade.” The WNP are understood to have links with the British Nationalist Party whose recent success in the English local Government elections have caused a political stir amongst the more traditional parties.

The BNP scored heavily in Burnley where they have now a firm hold in the Council and according to some observers, the current debate on immigration may be one of the factors for their success.

That immigration argument doesn’t apply as much to Northern Ireland, but according to a loyalist source, the basic principles would still be relevant here.

“The White Nationalist Party have got a hold in Ballymoney, Ballymena and Coleraine and have a good power-base generally in North Antrim,” explained the source. “Many people here have always held right wing views as evidenced by Combat 18.

“The fact that a right-wing neo-Nazi party scored heavily in Burnley says there is a niche whether people like it or not. It could easily happen here as well.”

REACTING angrily to reports that the White Nationalist Party (WNP) is targeting Ballymoney and the North Antrim area for recruits, SDLP’s Sean Farren, has condemned the organisation.
Responding to an article in last week’s Ballymoney and Moyle Times, Mr. Farren said in a statement:
“The messages of hate which the White Nationalist Party preaches put them outside the pale of democratic politics.
“The WNP is even more extreme than the British National Party which itself is a white supremacist party.
“Faced with the challenge of creating a peaceful and truly reconciled society there is no room for the vicious racism of the WNP in any part of Northern Ireland.
“The WNP demonstrates against the presence of ethnic groups who are non-white and non-British and whips up racist feelings against them.
“Already some people with such views have been behind racist attacks in Ballymena and elsewhere.
“We have had a long history to welcoming people of different ethnic backgrounds to Ireland. In a few weeks we shall be hosting thousands of athletes from around the world to our shores for the Special Olympics.
“Unlike the WNP and BNP the overwhelming majority of people will extend to these visitors the warmest of welcomes and hope they will enjoy their stay with us and return home with very fond memories.
“Supremacist parties like the WNP and the BNP have nothing to offer only racial hatred. North Antrim rejects them and their racist messages.”