Phil Woolas, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth and a former immigration minister, has been appointed to Ed Miliband's shadow ministerial team. Incredibly, the man notorious for playing the race card in May's general election is in the new shadow Home Office team, responsible for immigration, race relations and other matters.
This leaflet was issued on polling day itself - 6 May. The text reads:
'Extremists are trying to hijack this election. They want you to vote Lib Dem to punish Phil for being strong on immigration. The Lib Dems plan to give hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants the right to stay. It is up to you? Do you want the extremists to win?'
This is tastefully placed alongside images of what appear to be Islamic extremists brandishing placards with slogans like 'Kill those who insult Islamism'.
Voters are urged: 'Please get out. Vote for Phil Woolas. Stop the extremists in their tracks. Now.'
As the Political Scrapbook blog previously highlighted, the Ritchie Report - which investigated the circumstances behind violence and rioting in Oldham in 2001 - included this paragraph:
'The BNP has exacerbated problems and undoubtedly by distribution of crude leaflets and other activity done much to stir up tensions. The mainstream political parties have a big role to play in countering this threat, as do churches and other organisations.'
Less than a month ago Liberal Conspiracy published an article called 'The Labour Party should expel Phil Woolas.' Ed Miliband has instead given him a job as a junior shadow minister.
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Couldn't agree more with the sentiment of this post.
ReplyDeleteIt is disgraceful that Woolas has been given a brief rather than being booted out or left to rot on the back benches. Git.
Absolutely anything that delusional Sunny Hundal says needs to be re-examined. No fan of Woolas but no frend of The Hundal, whose lack of journalistic experience and penchant for hyperbole have earned him the desirory booby prize as everyone's most hated blggeur. Check harry's Place. he was eviscerated.
ReplyDeleteAnon
ReplyDeleteFirst, give yourself a name. Second, the LibCon article isn't by Hundal - click the link and see (this is not the most taxing research exercise imaginable). Third, it's never a good idea to attack the messenger as if that's an adequate substitute for engaging with the arguments. Finally, Harry's Place?! Citing that nasty Muslim-baiting shitfest isn't going to help you.