THE decision of the far right British National Party to have a candidate in the Colne Valley casts a "slur" on the whole area, an MP claims.
Colne Valley MP Kali Mountford spoke out after it was revealed the BNP will have a candidate, Alan Clark, in the Colne Valley ward in the Kirklees Council elections on June 10.
She has called on the other mainstream parties to condemn the BNP.
She said: "It is a slur on the Colne Valley that the BNP should think this is fertile territory in which to win votes.
"The people here are decent, hard-working folk who welcome outsiders into their midst.
"There has also been a huge investment and effort put into projects such as the Huddersfield Narrow Canal restoration and the renaissance scheme for Marsden and Slaithwaite.
"Supporters of all mainstream parties have worked hard to make people want to come to the Colne Valley and I urge them to maintain the area's image by keeping the BNP out."
