Concern and disappointment has been expressed by Christians about gains made by the British National Party (BNP) in elections to the European Parliament.  The BNP won two European seats, as well as three seats in local councils around the UK.
 
Frank Kantor, Secretary for Church and Society for the United Reformed Church, said; “We must never become comfortable with the BNP using their position to promote racist policies. We will continue to counter their messages of hatred and fear.”

Many commentators predicted success for the BNP due to low voter turnout and the political upheavals of recent weeks. However, the gains were nowhere as great as the BNP themselves predicted. 

Rachel Lampard, public issues policy adviser for the Methodist Church, said, “The limited success of the BNP does not change our steadfast message: God loves all. Racism is a sin. The campaigning work of the Churches and other grass-roots organisations has helped to highlight the need for people to vote positively, especially at a time when public confidence in politics has been shaken.”
 
 The Revd Graham Sparkes, head of faith and unity for the Baptist Union of Great Britain, added; “It’s deeply disappointing that we now have a racist party representing Britain in Europe for the next five years and it is vital that our remaining UK representatives dedicate themselves to promote the common good.”

http://www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/jpitnews.htm