“March for England Not Welcome Here, ” says Labour

Leading Labour Party representatives in the City have made clear their opposition to The March for England which is planned for Brighton and Hove on Sunday, April 27.

Cllr Warren Morgan; Leader of Labour and Cooperative

The decision to allow the march to take place on the seafront between Brighton Pier and the bottom of West Street was taken by Sussex Police with the reluctant support of Brighton and Hove City Council. In the past protestors were allowed to march from Brighton Station through the city centre to Victoria Gardens on London Road, which caused chaos and brought the city to a standstil. A counter protest is expected on Sunday.

Councillor Warren Morgan, Leader of the City Council’s Labour and Co-operative Party Group, says: “The March for England is seen by many as being closely associated with far-right racist groups like the English Defence League. Their march causes fear amongst residents and disruption to businesses. I have told organisers to their face that they should take their event elsewhere and are not welcome in our City.”

Purna Sen: Parliamentary Labour candidate for Brighton Pavilion

Purna Sen, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion, added: “I am proud to live in such a tolerant and diverse place as Brighton and Hove. Its diversity is one of the factors that makes Brighton and Hove such an interesting place in which to live and adds to the City’s international reputation. Much of the event will take place in the Brighton Pavilion constituency and that is no place for an event which many associate with a message of intolerance and hatred.

“I believe many local people share my feelings and so during this week I am asking people to tweet #NotWelcomeHere or email me at NotWelcomeHere2014@gmail.com with a photo of themselves holding an A4 sign saying “The MfE is not welcome here because ….’ and giving their reason. I’ll be publicising people’s views at the end of the week.”