John Phillips REVELLERS in Barking and Dagenham are set to enjoy the first ever St George s Day celebrations in the borough. The Labour majority has unveiled plans for the party to celebrate the patron saint of England on Thursday, April 23. London Assembly member, B
John Phillips
REVELLERS in Barking and Dagenham are set to enjoy the first ever St George's Day celebrations in the borough.
The Labour majority has unveiled plans for the party to celebrate the patron saint of England on Thursday, April 23.
London Assembly member, BNP Cllr Richard Barnbrook, accused Labour of "nicking" its ideas, while BNP leader Cllr Bob Bailey urged the ruling party to go further by setting aside a massive �50,000 for the celebrations.
Labour deputy leader Cllr Liam Smith told the Recorder his group had "never lost the initiative" despite Cllr Bailey's claims that Labour was "grandstanding".
Cllr Fairbrass attacked BNP calls to fly the English flag at Barking Town Hall, Town Square, and Dagenham Civic Centre, Wood Lane, every day of the year.
He said a constant St George flag display risked becoming a meaningless "piece of bunting" reminiscent of the "tatty dirty rags" seen in Green Lane, Dagenham.
Cllr Smith brushed off claims he was copying BNP ideas, saying he had organised a St George's Day campaign in 2005.
Full details of the celebrations will be released soon.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here