Tommy Robinson announces plans to stand as MEP
Far-right activist potentially breaches electoral bribery law by offering free food to voters
Faith leaders and politicians from across Manchester have united to condemn the anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson, who has announced plans to stand as an independent MEP in the
European elections.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon held an event in Wythenshawe, south
Manchester, on Thursday evening to address supporters.
However, his fledgling political career got off to an inauspicious start when he was told by police that his BBQ was potentially in breach of electoral laws on bribery by offering free food to voters.
About 300 of his supporters gathered on a small green in the middle of a housing estate for Robinson’s appearance, where there was a low-key police presence.
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Anne Marie Waters, leader of the far-right party For Britain, promised Robinson the support of her party as she introduced him to chants of “Oh Tommy, Tommy”.
After technical details delayed proceedings – “We had the Brexit betrayal, now we’ve got the billboard betrayal,” said Robinson – he told the crowd that working-class people had been betrayed for years because, he claimed, “they don’t vote”.
He said he himself had never voted and was not even on the electoral register.
“This is David vs Goliath. No one has ever won as an independent,” he went on. “Do you realise the shockwaves we will send across the world if we unite and vote?”
As Robinson, who founded the far-right English Defence League nine years ago, is standing as an independent candidate, he will be in opposition to Ukip despite having been appointed as an adviser by its leader, Gerard Batten.
On a campaign website, Robinson says he plans to speak out against “the Islamification of Britain” if he is elected as MEP for the north-west of England.
His candidacy has been met with near-universal condemnation in Manchester. Mike Kane, the Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, signed a joint letter with Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith leaders saying Robinson’s “far-right political views are not welcome in our town and our great city”.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...islam-activist
