The British National Party is a step closer to allowing non-white members to join after leaders call to ballot members on the change.
The major shift in policy came after senior members of the British National Party held private talks at their annual conference in Wigan.
The Human Rights Commission has previously said the party would be deemed illegal if it did not allow people from ethnic minorities to join.
A party spokesman said: "More than 300 of the party's voting membership voted overwhelmingly in favour. At a later stage it will be put to the entire membership of the party to vote for, or against."
Party leader, Nick Griffin said: "We will ensure the new constitution still makes sure that the party is there primarily to represent the interests of the indigenous people of these islands who have been grotesquely discriminated against by the other parties now for decades.
"But to have members of loyal assimilated minorities in this country involved in the party as well I'm sure will actually help."
A group of 50 anti-fascist protestors gathered outside the conference, chanting: "Black and white unite and fight", and "Smash the BNP”. Police were also present.
Paul Jenkins, the north-west organiser for anti-BNP campaigners Unite Against Fascism, said: “We are here because the BNP is a fascist party and it does not represent the people of Wigan, the North West or the country."
What do you think of this story? Is the BNP doing enough to rid itself of its history as a fascist party? What else can they do? Share your thoughts by posting a comment in the box below.
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Comments
The problem is not Griffin or his party - there always has been and always will be people who exploit the masses for their own political and racist means. The real problem is that people believe it! The BNP already have voters in who are of ethnic minorities who are blindsighted by the facade they put on. More people will vote for them this summer as they have lost faith in conventional parties - yet, what we we have to focus on is how to remind people that racism and blatant facism never has any winners.
S · 17-12-09
BNP simply allowing members of non-white ethnic background into their party does not necessarily mean they are 'nearing a multi-cultural future.' They without a doubt still posess the agenda of participating in racist politics and holding ideological views that in no way support multi-culturalism in Britain.
sunaina deol · 16-12-09
i totally disagreed with the bnp and especially when they were allowed in to the higher leagues of politics they will always remain a bit left wing and racist in some policies and i dont think that political party should be allowed any influence on how things are run but this is just my opinion.
02-12-09
I remember watching Nick Griffin on Question time a couple of weeks ago. He made himself look like a complete idiot. However, there is no doubt during these tough times; where there is less political and economic trust; more and more people may switch and vote BNp, this summer.
26-11-09
BNP nears a multi-cultural future, what? are they really, i strongly oppose to the BNP party, they are evidently shadowing the footsteps of the nazi party and they ill do whatever to acheive top rank in society, some of the member of the parties are even criminals themselves, i know you can't say that if they have done soemthing wrong it means taht in the future they are unable to redeem themselves, but for a party like nazi will they look back and see themselves wrong. In this case, they my tell the truth but what is really behind this, there is bound to be something they are hiding so they are not fibbing but jst not telling giving us teh wrong impression which of course most of will be able to see :P
25-11-09
Any comments?